Definition

Noun: A caste system is a social structure in which a person's social class, status, and occupation are rigidly determined by birth and heredity. Movement between these hereditary classes is typically prohibited or severely restricted.

Usage

The term is used to describe a specific, closed form of social stratification. It is most famously associated with traditional societies, particularly historical Hindu society in India. - It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a caste system, the caste system). - It is often discussed in academic contexts related to sociology, anthropology, and history.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to be entrenched in a caste system": to be firmly established within such a rigid social structure.
  • The village's traditions were deeply entrenched in a caste system.
• "the rigidity of the caste system": refers to the inflexible nature of the system's rules.
  • He wrote about the economic impacts of the rigidity of the caste system.

Variants and Related Words

• Caste (n): Any of the hereditary social classes in a caste system. (e.g., )
• Casteism (n): Prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of caste.

Synonyms

• Social hierarchy: A general term for any system with ranked social groups.
• Stratified society: A society divided into hierarchical social strata.
• Estate system: A historical European system of social stratification, though often with slightly more mobility than a pure caste system.

Antonyms

• Class system: A more open system of social stratification where mobility based on wealth or achievement is possible.
• Meritocracy: A system where advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.
• Egalitarian society: A society that asserts the equality of all people.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A caste of its own": Used figuratively to describe something so unique or superior it cannot be compared to others. (Note: This idiom uses "caste" metaphorically, not the full term "caste system").
  • As a violinist, she is in a caste of her own.

Noun

1. a social structure in which classes are determined by heredity