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