chas·ten   (chā'sən)    tr.v.   chas·tened, chas·ten·ing, chas·tens To correct by punishment or reproof; take to task. To restrain; subdue: chasten a proud spirit. To rid of excess; refine or purify: chasten a careless writing style. [Alteration of obsolete chaste, from Middle English chasten, chastien, from Old French chastiier, from Latin castigāre; see castigate.] chas'ten·er n.

Chasten

Chas"ten\ (ch[=a]"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.

chasten