CHASTE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does chaste mean? 

• CHASTE (adjective)
  The adjective CHASTE has 3 senses:

1. morally pure (especially not having experienced sexual intercourse)

2. pure and simple in design or style

3. abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse

  Familiarity information: CHASTE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CHASTE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Morally pure (especially not having experienced sexual intercourse)

Context example:

a holy woman innocent and chaste

Similar:

celibate; continent (abstaining from sexual intercourse)

pure; vestal; virgin; virginal; virtuous (in a state of sexual virginity)

Also:

moral (concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles)

pure ((used of persons or behaviors) having no faults; sinless)

virtuous (morally excellent)

Attribute:

chastity; sexual morality; virtue (morality with respect to sexual relations)

virginity (the condition or quality of being a virgin)

Antonym:

unchaste (not chaste)

Derivation:

chastity (morality with respect to sexual relations)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Pure and simple in design or style

Context example:

a chaste border of conventionalized flowers

Similar:

plain (not elaborate or elaborated; simple)

Derivation:

chasteness (lack of ornamentation)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse

Similar:

moral (concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles)

Derivation:

chastity (abstaining from sexual relations (as because of religious vows))

 Context examples 

Also called chaste tree berry and Vitex.

(Monk’s pepper, NCI Dictionary)

"Your lady may prefer this. It's a superior article, a most desirable color, quite chaste and genteel," he said, shaking out a comfortable gray shawl, and throwing it over Jo's shoulders.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

An extract made from the fruit of the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) found in parts of Asia and Europe.

(Angus castus, NCI Dictionary)

Chaste tree berry may affect levels of reproductive hormones in the blood.

(Chaste tree berry, NCI Dictionary)

Chaste berries contain glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes.

(Chaste Berry, NCI Thesaurus)

Chaste berries are considered as a reproductive tonic herb.

(Chaste Berry, NCI Thesaurus)