chaste

[cheyst]

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

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 chaster

subdued, platonic, virginal, celibate, unblemished, monogamous, austere, clean, continent, decent, decorous, elegant, immaculate, impotent, inexperienced, innocent, modest, moral, neat, proper

Examples from the Web for chaster

Historical Examples of chaster

The chaster she is, all the more will she revolt at the shamefulness of the verification!
The Executioner's Knife
Eugne Sue
And my chaster imperial love, what were you too but earthliness?
Majesty
Louis Couperus
"Unmatcht for beauty, chaster than the ayre," wrote one poet.
The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened
Kenelm Digby
I wonder if we can't smuggle the skulls and the skeleton into Mr. Chaster's room?
Joe The Hotel Boy
Horatio Alger Jr.
But it remained for the chaster genius of Addison to banish this painful topic from his elegant pages.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)
Isaac D'Israeli

British Dictionary definitions for chaster

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 chaster

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.