English Dictionary: chasten | by the DICT Development Group |
2 results for chasten | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Chasten \Chas"ten\ (ch[amac]"s'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Chastened} (-s'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Chastening}.] [OE. chastien, OF. Chastier, F. Ch[?]tier, fr. L. castigare to punish, chastise; castus pure + agere to lead, drive. See {Chaste}, {Act}, and cf. {Castigate}, {Chastise}.] 1. To correct by punishment; to inflict pain upon the purpose of reclaiming; to discipline; as, to chasten a son with a rod. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. --Heb. xii. 6. 2. To purify from errors or faults; to refine. They [classics] chasten and enlarge the mind, and excite to noble actions. --Layard. Syn: To chastise; punish; correct; discipline; castigate; afflict; subdue; purify. Usage: To {Chasten}, {Punish}, {Chastise}. To chasten is to subject to affliction or trouble, in order to produce a general change for the better in life or character. To punish is to inflict penalty for violation of law, disobedience to authority, or intentional wrongdoing. To chastise is to punish a particular offense, as with stripes, especially with the hope that suffering or disgrace may prevent a repetition of faults. |