chastise vs chasten

[Voltaire]

I'm struggling to understand the difference between them. HELP!

 

[englishman]

"Chastise" means "to punish severely"
"Chasten" means "to subdue, or to be corrected (by punishment")

 

[la reine victoria]

Hi Voltaire,

Both words mean to punish but there are subtle differences.

Dictionary.com

Chastise:
To punish, as by beating. See Synonyms at punish.
To criticize severely; rebuke.
Archaic. To purify.

Chasten:
To correct by punishment or reproof; take to task.
To restrain; subdue: chasten a proud spirit.
To rid of excess; refine or purify: chasten a careless writing style.

Hope this is of help to you.




LRV

 

[englishman]

Hi Voltaire,

Both words mean to punish but there are subtle differences.

I think the essential difference is that with "chasten", we are more interested in the result of the punishment, which is the "correction" of the individual being chastened, whereas with "chastise", it's more a statement of fact that some form of punishment, probably severe, was used. Also the punishment associated with "chastening" is often verbal:

"After his dressing down, I, suitably chastened, corrected the mistakes and resubmitted the report"

 

[la reine victoria]

Good explanation Englishman.




LRV
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