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chasten


chas·ten

verb \ˈchā-sən\
chas·tenedchas·ten·ing\ˈchās-niŋ, ˈchā-sən-iŋ\

Definition of CHASTEN

transitive verb
1
: to correct by punishment or suffering : discipline; also : purify
2
a : to prune (as a work or style of art) of excess, pretense, or falsity : refine b : to cause to be more humble or restrained : subdue
chas·ten·er \ˈchās-nər, ˈchā-sən-ər\ noun

Examples of CHASTEN

  1. <chastened the child with five minutes of sitting in the corner>
  2. <the unexpected loss to a second-rate player really chastened the tournament's top-seeded tennis star>

Origin of CHASTEN

alteration of obsolete English chaste to chasten, from Middle English, from Anglo-French chastier, from Latin castigare, from castus + -igare (from agere to drive) — more at act
First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with CHASTEN

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