CHASTEN


Meaning of CHASTEN in English

ˈchās ə n transitive verb

( chastened ; chastened ; chastening -s( ə )niŋ ; chastens )

Etymology: alteration of obsolete English chaste to chasten, from Middle English chasten, chastien, from Old French chastier, from Latin castigare to punish, from castus pure + -igare (from agere to lead, drive) — more at chaste , act

1.

a. : to subject to pain, suffering, deprivation, or misfortune in order to correct, strengthen, or perfect in character, in mental or spiritual qualities, or in conduct : discipline

whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth — Heb 12:6(Authorized Version)

b. : to act upon or affect in any way so as to correct, strengthen, or perfect (as in character, conduct, or mental or spiritual qualities)

2.

a. : to make (a work of art or literature, an artistic or literary style, or some natural object regarded with respect to its aesthetic qualities) more decorous, restrained, or refined : remove floridity, excessive exuberance or luxuriance, or irregularity from : correct , purify

b. : to increase the purity or refinement of (the mind or mental faculties)

chasten and enlarge the mind — A.H.Layard

the once common practice of making children commit passages to memory had a chastening effect on the general ear and literary conscience — George Sampson

c. : to keep from being excessive or overintense : restrain , temper

his air of chastened triumph — Dorothy Sayers

d. : to cause to be more humble, modest, restrained, or cautious : subdue

Synonyms: see punish

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.