Chastity

That virtue which prevents the unlawful commerce of the sexes.

A woman may defend her chastity by killing her assailant. And even the solicitation of her chastity is indictable in some of the states; though in England, and perhaps elsewhere, such act is not indictable. Words charging a woman with a violation of chastity are actionable in themselves.

Chastity among adults is almost unknown in modern late-20th century western society despite the lip-service given it by many segments.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.