ˈvərnə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Sanskrit varṇa, literally, color, sort, class, from vṛṇoti he covers, envelops — more at weir
1. : one of the four ancient Hindu social groups assigned by classical law to specific occupational duties and including the twice-born Brahmans, Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas and the chiefly aboriginal Sudras
2. : one of four groupings of modern Hindu castes traditionally derived from the ancient varnas : class