Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Chasten \Chas"ten\ (ch[=a]"s'n), v. t. [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.

Source : WordNet®

chasten
     v 1: censure severely; "She chastised him for his insensitive
          remarks" [syn: {chastise}, {castigate}, {objurgate}, {correct}]
     2: restrain or temper [syn: {moderate}, {temper}]
     3: correct by punishment or discipline [syn: {tame}, {subdue}]