chaste
[cheyst]
- refraining from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion; virtuous.
- virgin.
- not engaging in sexual relations; celibate.
- free from obscenity; decent: chaste conversation.
- undefiled or stainless: chaste, white snow.
- pure in style; not excessively ornamented; simple.
- Obsolete. unmarried.
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Origin of chaste
1175–1225; Middle English < Old French < Latin castus clean, pure, chaste
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
subdued, platonic, virginal, celibate, unblemished, monogamous, austere, clean, continent, decent, decorous, elegant, immaculate, impotent, inexperienced, innocent, modest, moral, neat, properExamples from the Web for chaste
Contemporary Examples
Novelty aside, the real question is whether these avowedly chaste men of the cloth are listening.
The Vatican's Same-Sex Synod: The Bishops Hear About Reality. Do They Listen?Barbie Latza Nadeau
October 12, 2014
Unlike the chaste boys club devotees of ‘Dungeons and Losers’ (oops, ‘Dragons’) of yore, women play the new games and like them.
This stood in contrast to the chaste 19th century, when marriage, rather than romance, was the main topic of interest.
There is a sense that Bennett is the real deal: he is the authentic Zionist, the chaste politician, the man with a plan.
But not all sayings are as chaste as “No good deed goes unpunished.”
Historical Examples
Could she not fall asleep serenely in the peacefulness of her chaste soul?
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
Most pure Mother, most chaste Mother, thy children are at thy feet!
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
There are, no doubt, two kinds of old bachelors, those who are chaste and those who are not.
The Sexual QuestionAugust Forel
No chiaroscuro is so difficult as this; and none so noble, chaste, or impressive.
Modern Painters Volume I (of V)John Ruskin
But can they, even in that chaste and 166 splendid nudity, dispense with ruffles and flounces?
The Book of KhalidAmeen Rihani
chaste
- not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal
- abstaining from sexual intercourse, esp that which is unlawful or immoral
- (of conduct, speech, etc) pure; decent; modest
- (of style or taste) free from embellishment; simple; restrained
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French, from Latin castus pure; compare caste
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for chaste
adj.
c.1200, "virtuous, pure from unlawful sexual intercourse" (as defined by the Church), from Old French chaste "morally pure" (12c.), from Latin castus "clean, pure, morally pure" (see caste). Transferred sense of "sexually pure" is by 15c., perhaps by influence of chastity, though chaste as a noun meaning "virgin person" is recorded from early 14c. Related: Chastely.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper