caste
caste definition
caste (kast, käst)
noun
- any of the distinct, hereditary Hindu social classes, each traditionally, but no longer officially, excluded from social dealings with the others
- any exclusive and restrictive social or occupational class or group
- rigid class distinction based on birth, wealth, etc., operating as a social system or principle
- any of the differentiated types of individuals in a colony of social insects
Etymology: Fr < Port casta, breed, race, caste < L castus, pure, chaste, orig., cut off, separated, pp. of carere, to be cut off from < IE base *es-, to cut > MIr cess, spear
caste Idioms
lose caste
to lose social status or position
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