- Chastening
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. --Heb. xii. 6. [1913 Webster]
2. To purify from errors or faults; to refine. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
