Chasten, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chastened; p. pr. & vb. n. Chastening.] — Webster enters it under “chasten”
Etymology: [OE. chastien, OF. Chastier, F. Ch, 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. 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for chastening; he lists it under misfortune.
Where he writes about it:
Affliction, chastening, trial, and tribulation have all an especially religious bearing, suggesting some disciplinary purpose of God with beneficent design. — from misfortune