Caste (Noun)
Meaning 1
In some social insects (such as ants) a physically distinct individual or group of individuals specialized to perform certain functions in the colony.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Meaning 2
Social status or position conferred by a system based on class; "lose caste by doing work beneath one's station".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- In the rigid social hierarchy of the time, marrying someone from a lower caste was considered unacceptable.
- The young noblewoman was afraid of losing caste by being seen in public with a commoner.
- Her family's wealth and influence had always guaranteed them a high caste in society, but times were changing.
- After being convicted of a crime, he lost caste in the eyes of his community and was shunned by his former friends.
- The traditional system of castes was slowly breaking down as education and economic opportunities became more widely available.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
(Hinduism) a hereditary social class among Hindus; stratified according to ritual purity.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
A social class separated from others by distinctions of hereditary rank or profession or wealth.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The Indian society has traditionally been divided into different castes, with the Brahmins at the top and the Dalits at the bottom.
- The strict rules of the caste system governed every aspect of life, from marriage to occupation.
- The low-caste laborers were often treated poorly by the higher-caste landowners.
- In ancient times, the warrior caste was considered the most prestigious and powerful in the kingdom.
- The government has implemented policies to uplift the marginalized castes and promote social equality.