Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rigid social class system: A system in which people are born into a specific social group with fixed roles, status, and occupations, often with restrictions on social interaction and marriage.
   • A specific social class within such a system: One of the distinct hereditary groups in a caste-based society.
   • (Biology) A specialized group in a colony: In social insects like ants or bees, a physically distinct group (e.g., workers, soldiers, queens) specialized for particular functions.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The traditional caste system in India has been officially abolished but its influence persists.
  • He was born into the highest priestly caste.
  • In an ant colony, the soldier caste is responsible for defense.

Advanced Usage

• "to lose caste": To lose one's social status or position, especially by behaving in a way considered beneath one's social rank.
  • In the past, a nobleman could lose caste by engaging in trade.

Variants and Related Words

• Casteism (n): Prejudice or discrimination based on caste.
  • The political party campaigned against casteism.
• Caste-like (adj): Resembling or having qualities of a caste system.
  • The society exhibited caste-like structures.

Synonyms

• Social stratum: A layer or class within a society.
• Class: A social division based on economic or social status (though "class" is often more fluid than "caste").
• Rank: A position within a social hierarchy.

Related Phrases

• Caste system: The overarching structure of caste divisions in a society.
  • Scholars study the impact of the caste system on social mobility.

Noun

1. in some social insects (such as ants) a physically distinct individual or group of individuals specialized to perform certain functions in the colony
2. a social class separated from others by distinctions of hereditary rank or profession or wealth
3. (Hinduism) a hereditary social class among Hindus; stratified according to ritual purity
4. social status or position conferred by a system based on class
   • lose caste by doing work beneath one's station