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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Chasten \Chas"ten\ (ch[=a]"s'n), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Chastened} (-s'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Chastening}.] [OE. chastien, OF. Chastier, F. Ch?tier, fr. L. castigare to punish, chastise; castus pure + agere to lead, drive. See {Chaste}, {Act}, and cf. {Castigate}, {Chastise}.]
1. To correct by punishment; to inflict pain upon the purpose of reclaiming; to discipline; as, to chasten a son with a rod.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. --Heb. xii. 6.
2. To purify from errors or faults; to refine.
They [classics] chasten and enlarge the mind, and excite to noble actions. --Layard.
Syn: To chastise; punish; correct; discipline; castigate; afflict; subdue; purify.
Usage: To {Chasten}, {Punish}, {Chastise}. To chasten is to subject to affliction or trouble, in order to produce a general change for the better in life or character. To punish is to inflict penalty for violation of law, disobedience to authority, or intentional wrongdoing. To chastise is to punish a particular offense, as with stripes, especially with the hope that suffering or disgrace may prevent a repetition of faults.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
chastening
noun: a rebuke for making a mistake [syn: {correction}, {chastisement}]
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