castigate

[ kas-ti-geyt ]
/ ˈkæs tɪˌgeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR castigate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), cas·ti·gat·ed, cas·ti·gat·ing.

to criticize or reprimand severely.
to punish in order to correct.

Origin of castigate

1600–10; < Latin castīgātus literally, driven to be faultless (past participle of castigāre to chasten), equivalent to cast(us) pure, chaste + -īg-, combining form of agere to drive, incite + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM castigate

Words nearby castigate

castelo branco, castelvetro, caster, caster action, caster sugar, castigate, castiglione, castile, castile soap, castilho, castilian

Words related to castigator

nag, quibbler, caviler, scold, nitpicker, niggler, nagger, caviller, faultfinder, criticizer

Example sentences from the Web for castigator

  • A certain marquis had been thrashed with a walking-stick, but showed no disposition to take vengeance on his castigator.

    Old and New Paris, v. 1 |Henry Sutherland Edwards

British Dictionary definitions for castigator

castigate
/ (ˈkæstɪˌɡeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to rebuke or criticize in a severe manner; chastise

Derived forms of castigate

castigation, noun castigator, noun castigatory, adjective

Word Origin for castigate

C17: from Latin castīgāre to correct, punish, from castum pure + agere to compel (to be)