caste

• 指基于世袭等级、职业或财富而形成的社会阶层或等级划分，常与严格的社会分层体系相关。

A noun referring to a social class or hierarchical division based on hereditary rank, profession, or wealth, often associated with rigid social stratification.

1. Social status or classB2formal

   A social position or rank determined by a system based on class distinctions.

   种姓

   • Her caste determined her opportunities in life.
   • The caste system is still influential in some regions.
   • He was born into a lower caste but rose through education.

   同义词classechelonlevelrankstandingstationstatusstratum

2. Hindu hereditary classB2formal

   A hereditary social class in Hinduism, stratified according to ritual purity and traditional occupation.

   种姓

   • The Brahmins are the highest caste in the traditional Hindu system.
   • Marriage across different castes was once forbidden.
   • The caste system has deep historical roots in India.

   同义词jativarna

3. Distinct social groupB2formal

   A social class separated from others by hereditary rank, profession, or wealth.

   种姓

   • The warrior caste held significant power in ancient societies.
   • Members of the merchant caste often controlled trade routes.
   • The caste of priests performed religious ceremonies.

   同义词classestateorderranksocial classstratum

4. Specialized insect groupC1formalscientific

   A physically distinct group of individuals in some social insects (such as ants or bees) specialized to perform certain functions in the colony.

   品级

   • Worker ants form a caste dedicated to foraging and nest maintenance.
   • The queen is a reproductive caste in a bee colony.
   • Soldier termites are a distinct caste that defends the nest.

   同义词formmorph