chaste

[cheyst]

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adjective, chast·er, chast·est.

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.

Origin of chaste

1175–1225; Middle English < Old French < Latin castus clean, pure, chaste

Related formschaste·ly, adverbchaste·ness, noun

Can be confusedcelibate chastechased chastechaste chest

Synonyms for chaste

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR chaste ON THESAURUS.COM

1. continent. 4. clean, elevated. 5. unsullied. 6. unaffected, unadorned, neat; classic; elegant.

Antonyms for chaste

1. immoral. 4. coarse. 5. debased. 6. ornate.

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

Related Words for chastely

quietly, simply, plainly, humbly, virtuously, purely, demurely, diffidently, shyly, unassumingly, unobtrusively

Examples from the Web for chastely

Historical Examples of chastely

His little windows were chastely swathed in Nottingham lace.
A Room With A View
E. M. Forster
The hand which was yielded to his pressed it gently, timidly, chastely.
The Parisians, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
The one above the front door was chastely shrouded by inside shutters.
Stubble
George Looms
I thought it might be given to man to love tenderly and chastely.
Robert Annys: Poor Priest
Annie Nathan Meyer
These men lived poorly and chastely, and did the office of Levites.
Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions
T. W. Doane

British Dictionary definitions for chastely

chaste

adjective

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

Derived Formschastely, adverbchasteness, noun

Word Origin for chaste

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for chastely

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.