enchasten

English

Etymology

From en- (intensifying prefix) +‎ chasten (“to chastise, subdue, or render chaste”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɛnˈt͡ʃeɪsən/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɛnˈt͡ʃeɪsən/

Verb

enchasten (third-person singular simple present enchastens, present participle enchastening, simple past and past participle enchastened)

1. (rare, chiefly literary) To render chaste.
   • a. 1807, Henry Kirke White, “Time: A Poem”, in The Remains of Henry Kirke White, of Nottingham, […], volume II, London: J[ohn] G[eorge] Barnard, […] for William Clark, […], published 1825, page 87:

     And shall it e’er be said, that a poor hind,
     Nursed in the lap of Ignorance, and bred
     In want and labour, glows with nobler zeal
     To laud his Maker’s attributes, while he
     Whom starry Science in her cradle rock’d,
     And Castaly enchasten’d, with its dews,
     Closes his eyes upon the holy word,
     And, blind to all but arrogance and pride,
     Dares to declare his infidelity,
     And openly contemn the Lord of Hosts?

   • 1907, Harry Houdini Collection, The Arena, page 134:

     I am the Child that motherless must weep,
         To hallow and enchasten all the land;
     And I am motherhood that cannot sleep,
         Without the pressure of a tiny hand. […]

Anagrams

• enhancest