chaste

One entry found for chaste.

Main Entry: chaste
Pronunciation: 'chAst
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): chast·er; chast·est
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin castus pure
1 : innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse
2 : CELIBATE
3 : pure in thought and act : MODEST
4 a : severely simple in design or execution : AUSTERE <chaste classicism> b : CLEAN, SPOTLESS
- chaste·ly adverb
- chaste·ness /'chAs(t)-n&s/ noun
synonyms CHASTE, PURE, MODEST, DECENT mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. CHASTE primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows <they maintained chaste relations>. PURE differs from CHASTE in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions <the pure of heart>. MODEST and DECENT apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity <preferred more modest swimsuits> <decent people didn't go to such movies>.