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Glite Dictionary
quarter-caste

quarter-caste

9.9
A person who has one grandparent from a different racial or caste group
  • noun
  • /ˈkwɔrtərˌkæst/
  • Slur
translation icon : [término ofensivo para una persona con un cuarto de ascendencia de otra casta]
  • Many quarter-castes face unique challenges in society.

Examples

  • The census counted a number of people identified as quarter-caste in the region.

  • He learned about his family's quarter-caste status from old documents.

  • As a quarter-caste, she often faced questions about her background.

  • She identifies as a quarter-caste in her community.

  • As a quarter-caste, she often faced questions about her background.

  • He learned about his family's quarter-caste status from old documents.

  • Many quarter-caste individuals face unique challenges in society.

Surface Forms

quarter-caste singular
quarter-castes plural

Morphology

quarter-caste = quarter + caste (transparent) = quarter + caste

The meaning is directly composed from 'quarter' (one fourth) + 'caste' (social group): someone one-quarter from a caste group.

Etymology

The word quarter-caste comes from quarter, meaning 'one fourth', and caste, a Portuguese word for a social 'group' or 'family background' used in India and other places. So a quarter-caste is someone who is 'one fourth' from a different caste or racial group, for example with one grandparent from that group.