1. (

• caste

) social status or position conferred by a system based on class; "lose caste by doing work beneath one's station" ;

2. (

• caste ,

) (Hinduism) a hereditary social class among Hindus; stratified according to ritual purity ;

3. (

• caste ,

) a social class separated from others by distinctions of hereditary rank or profession or wealth ;

4. (

• caste

) in some social insects (such as ants) a physically distinct individual or group of individuals specialized to perform certain functions in the colony ;