1. (v. t.) To correct by punishment; to discipline; as, to chasten a son with a rod\.

2. (v. t.) To purify from errors or faults; to refine.

abate allay alleviate assuage attemper bank the fire blunt bring to account bring to book call to account castigate chastise constrain control correct curb damp dampen de-emphasize deaden deal with diminish discipline downplay dull extenuate inflict upon keep within bounds lay lenify lessen lighten masthead mitigate moderate modulate obtund palliate penalize pillory play down punish purify reduce reduce the temperature repress restrain settle with simplify slacken slow down smother sober sober down soften square accounts stifle subdue suppress take to task tame temper tone down tune down underplay visit upon weaken