Webster's English Dictionary

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caste

caste \'kast\ n [Pg casta, lit., race, lineage, fr. fem. of casto pure, 
   chaste, fr.] L castus; akin to L care-re to be without, Gk keazein to 
   split, Skt s'asati he cuts to pieces 1: one of the hereditary social 
   classes in Hinduism that restrict the occup ation of their members and 
   their intercourse with the members of other castes 2a: a division of 
   society based upon differences of wealth, inherited rank  or privilege, 
   profession, or occupation 2b: the position conferred by caste standing : 
   PRESTIGE  3: a system of rigid social stratification characterized by 
   hereditary stat us, endogamy, and social barriers sanctioned by custom, 
   law, or religion 4: a polymorphic social insect (as the bee) that carries 
   out a particular f unction in the colony