n. 1 any of the Hindu hereditary classes whose members have no social contact with other classes, but are socially equal with one another and often follow the same occupations. 2 a more or less exclusive social class. 3 a system of such classes. 4 the position it confers. 5 Zool. a form of social insect having a particular function. caste mark a symbol on the forehead denoting a person's caste. lose caste descend in the social order.
[ Sp. and Port. casta lineage, race, breed, fem. of casto pure, CHASTE ]