The act of punishing or subduing someone; also an adjective meaning having a humbling or sobering effect.
Present participle of 'chasten,' created by adding '-ing' to the verb stem. The gerund form allows the concept to function as a noun describing the act itself.
A 'chastening' experience is something that fundamentally changes how you see yourself and the world—it's often called 'character-building' because it strips away illusions and forces growth.
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