chaste

Where does the word "chaste" come from? It comes from Latin castus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Chaste’s story begins in Latin: castus meant “pure.” The root of 'castigate', to make pure by punishing. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chaste. Used of monks' and nuns' vows. It reached English by 1200s as chaste. 'caste' comes from the same Latin word via Portuguese. Today, chaste means abstaining from sex; pure.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient castus "pure", the root of 'castigate', to make pure by punishing.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval chaste "pure", used of monks' and nuns' vows.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s chaste "pure", 'caste' comes from the same Latin word via Portuguese.