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| caste [ kast ] (plural castes) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. Hindu social class: one of the four main hereditary classes into which Hindu society is divided, dictating the social position and status of people according to their professions. Though discrimination based on caste has been illegal since 1947, it still occurs in some areas.
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2. Hindu class system: the Hindu system of organizing society into hereditary classes
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3. social class: the class and rank or position of somebody in a society, according to birth, occupation, or some other criterion
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4. insects rank in insect colony: a group of insects that has a specialized role in a colony or hive of social insects such as ants or bees
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| [Mid-16th century. < Spanish, Portuguese casta "pure race" < Latin castus "pure"] |
