CHASTITY


Meaning of CHASTITY in English

ˈchastəd.ē, -aas-, -ətē, -i noun

( -es )

Etymology: Middle English chastete, chastitie, from Old French chasteté, from Latin castitat-, castitas, from castus pure + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at chaste

1. : the quality or state of being chaste: as

a. : abstention from any sexual intercourse reprobated by religion or condemned by morality

b. : abstention from all sexual intercourse

c. : freedom from immorality and lewdness in act and intention : purity in act and will : decency , modesty

d. : decorousness in design or expression often tending toward the severe : freedom from meretricious ornament, floridity, or tawdriness

2. : the obligation of lifelong celibacy and continence assumed in some monastic vows

3. : ethical integrity

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