v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Chastened p. pr. & vb. n. Chastening. ] [ OE. chastien, OF. Chastier, F. Ch&unr_;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. 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 ]

a. Corrected; disciplined; refined; purified; toned down. Sir. W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of such a finished chastened purity. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who chastens. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Chastity; purity. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Literature & Art) Freedom from all that is meretricious, gaudy, or affected; as, chasteness of design. [ 1913 Webster ]