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.
Phrases and idioms:
caste mark a symbol on the forehead denoting a person's caste. lose caste descend in the social order.
Etymology: Sp. and Port. casta lineage, race, breed, fem. of casto pure, CHASTE