castigate

[kas-ti-geyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR castigate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), cas·ti·gat·ed, cas·ti·gat·ing.

to criticize or reprimand severely.

to punish in order to correct.

Nearby words

Origin of castigate

1600–10; < Latin castīgātus literally, driven to be faultless (past participle of castigāre to chasten), equivalent to cast(us) pure, chaste + -īg-, combining form of agere to drive, incite + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR castigate

1. scold, reprove. 2. discipline, chastise, chasten.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR castigate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

cas·ti·ga·tion, nouncas·ti·ga·tive, cas·ti·ga·to·ry

[kas-ti-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈkæs tɪ gəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivecas·ti·ga·tor, nounnon·cas·ti·gat·ing, adjective

non·cas·ti·ga·tion, nounself-cas·ti·gat·ing, adjectiveself-cas·ti·ga·tion, nounun·cas·ti·gat·ed, adjectiveun·cas·ti·ga·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for castigation

It was more especially upon the backs of saints that this castigation took place.
Curiosities of Medical Experience|J. G. (John Gideon) Millingen
You are at liberty, then, to go forth and assist in the castigation.
From the Housetops|George Barr McCutcheon
If the castigation be severe, he invariably, on his return to England, goes to visit the Leader of the Opposition.
The Fortunes Of Glencore|Charles James Lever
After six days' castigation, the peasant's patience could hold out no longer.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 57, No. 352, February 1845|Various

If boys positively will not profit by my instructions, I am bound, in duty to their parents, to try the effect of castigation.
Three Courses and a Dessert|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for castigation

castigate

verb

(tr) to rebuke or criticize in a severe manner; chastise

Derived Formscastigation, nouncastigator, nouncastigatory, adjective

Word Origin for castigate

C17: from Latin castīgāre to correct, punish, from castum pure + agere to compel (to be)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for castigation

castigation

late 14c., castigacioun, from Latin castigationem (nominative castigatio) "a correcting, reproof, chastizing," noun of action from past participle stem of castigare (see castigate).

castigate

c.1600, from Latin castigatus, past participle of castigare "to correct, set right; purify; chastise, punish," from castus "pure" (see caste) + agere "to do" (see act (n.)). The notion behind the word is "make someone pure by correcting or reproving him."

If thou didst put this soure cold habit on To castigate thy pride, 'twere well. [Shakespeare, "Timon" IV.iii (1607)]

Related: Castigated; castigating; castigator; castigatory.

castigate

verb (used with object), cas·ti·gat·ed, cas·ti·gat·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of castigate

Examples from the Web for castigation

castigate

verb

Word Origin for castigate

castigation

castigate