n. [ Pg. casta race, lineage, fr. L. castus pure, chaste: cf. F. caste, of same origin. ]
☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
The tinkers then formed an hereditary caste. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
To lose caste,
n. [ OF. castelain, F. châtelain, L. castellanus pertaining to a castle, an occupant of a caste, LL., a governor of a castle, fr. L. castellum castle, citadel, dim. of castrum fortified place. See Castle, and cf. Chatelaine. ] A governor or warden of a castle. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
a. [ LL. castellatus, fr. castellare. See Castle. ]
n. [ LL. castellation, fr. castellare, fr. L. castellum. See Castle. ] The act of making into a castle. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.