noun
also vaish·ya ˈvīs(h)yə
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Sanskrit vaiśya, from viś settlement — more at vicinity
1. : a twice-born Hindu of the third ancient varna assigned by classical law to an agricultural or commercial occupation
2. : a twice-born Hindu belonging to one of a large group of modern upper castes traditionally derived from the ancient Vaisya varna — compare brahman , kshatriya , sudra