Both Uses of
chaste
in
As You Like It
- Hang there, my verse, in witness of my love; And thou, thrice-crowned queen of night, survey With thy chaste eye, from thy pale sphere above, Thy huntress' name, that my full life doth sway.†
Scene 3.2chaste = not having sexual intercourse (ever, outside of marriage, or for a long time); or not involving sexual desire
- Run, run, Orlando; carve on every tree, The fair, the chaste, and unexpressive she.†
Scene 3.2 *
Definitions:
-
(1)
(chaste as in: remained chaste) not having sex; or not involving sexual desireThe exact meaning of not having sex depends upon context. It can mean
- to be a virgin (never have sex)
- to be sexually inactive currently or for a long time
- to not have sex outside of marriage
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much less commonly, chaste can refer to an unornamented simple style.