chastity

chas-ti-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The state or practice of refraining from extramarital or all sexual activity.

  2. 2.

    Moral purity or virtue, especially in sexual matters.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    vow of chastity — a religious promise to abstain from sexual activity
  • •
    chastity belt — a historical device to prevent sexual intercourse

Related words

Antonyms: licentiousness, promiscuity
See also: celibacy, chaste, purity, virtue
Synonyms: celibacy, purity, virginity, virtue

Etymology

From Old French chastete, from Latin castitas ("purity, chastity"), from castus ("pure, chaste"). The Latin word is related to the idea of being morally clean or untainted.