Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

Portuguese casta, [[literally]], [[race]], lineage, from feminine of casto [[pure]], chaste, from Latin castus

Portuguese casta, [[literally]], [[race]], lineage, from feminine of casto [[pure]], chaste, from Latin castus

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1613]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1613]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 : one of the [[hereditary]] social [[classes]] in [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hinduism] that restrict the occupation of their members and their [[association]] with the members of other castes

*1 : one of the [[hereditary]] social [[classes]] in [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Hinduism] that restrict the occupation of their members and their [[association]] with the members of other castes

*2 a : a division of [[society]] based on [[differences]] of [[wealth]], inherited rank or [[privilege]], profession, occupation, or [[race]]  

*2 a : a division of [[society]] based on [[differences]] of [[wealth]], inherited rank or [[privilege]], profession, occupation, or [[race]]  

:b : the position conferred by caste standing : prestige

:b : the position conferred by caste standing : prestige

*3 : a [[system]] of rigid social [[stratification]] characterized by [[hereditary]] [[status]], [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engogamy endogamy], and social barriers sanctioned by [[custom]], [[law]], or [[religion]]

*3 : a [[system]] of rigid social [[stratification]] characterized by [[hereditary]] [[status]], [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engogamy endogamy], and social barriers sanctioned by [[custom]], [[law]], or [[religion]]

*4 : a specialized [[form]] (as the worker of an ant or bee) of a polymorphic social insect that carries out a particular [[function]] in the colony

*4 : a specialized [[form]] (as the worker of an ant or bee) of a polymorphic social insect that carries out a particular [[function]] in the colony

==Description==

==Description==

A '''caste''' is a combined [[social]] [[system]] of occupation, endogamy, [[culture]], social class, and [[political]] [[power]]. Caste should not be [[confused]] with [[class]], in that members of a caste are deemed to be alike in [[function]] or [[culture]], whereas not all members of a defined class may be so alike. Although [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India Indian society] is often now [[associated]] with the word "caste", it was first used by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_India Portuguese] to describe inherited class [[status]] in their own European society. [[English]] caste is from Latin castus  "[[pure]], cut off, [[segregated]]", the participle of carere "to cut off". Application to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India Hindu social groups] originates in the 17th century, via Portuguese casta "breed, [[race]], caste".

A '''caste''' is a combined [[social]] [[system]] of occupation, endogamy, [[culture]], social class, and [[political]] [[power]]. Caste should not be [[confused]] with [[class]], in that members of a caste are deemed to be alike in [[function]] or [[culture]], whereas not all members of a defined class may be so alike. Although [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India Indian society] is often now [[associated]] with the word "caste", it was first used by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_India Portuguese] to describe inherited class [[status]] in their own European society. [[English]] caste is from Latin castus  "[[pure]], cut off, [[segregated]]", the participle of carere "to cut off". Application to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India Hindu social groups] originates in the 17th century, via Portuguese casta "breed, [[race]], caste".

[[Discrimination]] based on caste, as perceived by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNICEF UNICEF], is prevalent mainly in parts of Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Japan) and Africa. UNICEF estimates that such [[perceived]] [[discrimination]] based on caste affects 250 million people worldwide.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste]

[[Discrimination]] based on caste, as perceived by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNICEF UNICEF], is prevalent mainly in parts of Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Japan) and Africa. UNICEF estimates that such [[perceived]] [[discrimination]] based on caste affects 250 million people worldwide.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]