I. |ən.+ adjective
Etymology: un- (I) + touch + -able
1.
a. : forbidden to the touch : not to be handled
in most museums such articles are untouchable
b. : exempt from criticism or control
for the first time criticism was directed at a hitherto untouchable target — Newsweek
2. : lying beyond the reach : being out of reach
untouchable resources buried deep within the earth
3. : disagreeable or defiling to the touch
• un·touch·ably -blē adverb
II. noun
( -s )
: one that is untouchable ; specifically : a member of a large hereditary group in India having in traditional Hindu belief and practice the quality of defiling by contact the person, food, or drink of a member of a higher caste and formerly being strictly segregated and restricted to menial work