Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Caste

Caste

,
Noun.
[Pg.
casta
race, lineage, fr. L.
castus
pure, chaste: cf. F.
caste
, of same origin.]
1.
One of the hereditary classes into which the Hindu are divided according to the laws of Brahmanism.
☞ The members of the same caste are theoretically of equal rank, and same profession or occupation, and may not eat or intermarry with those not of their own caste. The original are four, viz., the Brahmans, or sacerdotal order; the Kshatriyas, or soldiers and rulers; the Vaisyas, or husbandmen and merchants; and the Sudras, or laborers and mechanics. Men of no caste are Pariahs, outcasts. Numerous mixed classes, or castes, have sprung up in the progress of time.
2.
A separate and fixed order or class of persons in society who chiefly hold intercourse among themselves.
The tinkers then formed an hereditary
caste
.
Macaulay.
To lose caste
,
to be degraded from the caste to which one has belonged; to lose social position or consideration.

Definition 2024


caste

caste

English

Noun

caste (plural castes)

  1. Any of the hereditary social classes and subclasses of South Asian societies.
  2. A separate and fixed order or class of persons in society who chiefly associate with each other.
    • Macaulay
      The tinkers then formed an hereditary caste.
  3. (zoology) A class of ants of a particular size and function within a colony.

Hyponyms

Translations

Anagrams


Dutch

Verb

caste

  1. (archaic) singular present subjunctive of casten

French

Noun

caste f (plural castes)

  1. caste (hereditary class)
  2. class (social position)

References


Italian

Adjective

caste

  1. feminine plural of casto

Noun

caste f

  1. plural of casta

Anagrams


Latin

Adjective

caste

  1. vocative masculine singular of castus

References