untouchability
1
9.9
- noun
- /ʌnˈtʌtʃəˌbɪlɪti/
- Offensive
:
intocabilidad
- We must remove untouchability... from our hearts and from our lives.
Examples
-
The HRW report tells us that untouchability is "the imposition of social disabilities on persons by reason of birth into a particular caste" (Background), and the word is tellingly used only in descriptions of South Asian communities.
Academic text (2005) -
I strongly believe that untouchability is on its last leg and separate electorates will only perpetuate that stigma.
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We have been carrying on with untouchability for the last 2,000 years.
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If Congress was sincere it would have made removal of untouchability a condition to becoming the member of Congress.
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I'll walk from one end of India to the other to tell the untouchables that this is not the way to remove untouchability.
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There have been many Mahatmas in India whose sole objective was to remove untouchability.
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Then let the caste Hindus take a pledge that they will get rid of the evil of untouchability in a prescribed period.
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In the future constitution of India, the depressed classes should be given a fundamental right declaring untouchability to be illegal and punishable by law.
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Media reports on caste discrimination have included issues such as bonded labor, untouchability, kidnapping, and forced conversions of Dalits.
Blog text (26) -
The government implemented strict laws to eliminate untouchability and promote equality among all citizens.
Synonyms
84
6.1
Authorities keep people apart by race or religion, often with different facilities
64
4.2
A situation when someone is not allowed to join or take part in a group
30
7.4
Feeling of being alone and separate from other people
10
7.9
A system that keeps groups apart and gives some far worse services, for example in internet access or housing
8
7.9
To treat a person or group as unimportant and outside the main society
4
7.9
Leaving someone out of a group on purpose
3
8.4
Treating a person as shameful so others avoid or blame them
1
8.4
To exclude someone from a group as punishment or social rejection
1
7.6
Leaving a person out of social activities so they feel alone
1
8.9
Making a group or area separate from others and making it poorer and less powerful
1
7.7
Feeling separate from a group or community
Leaving someone out of a group so they cannot join in
To keep some people or ideas out of groups and decisions on purpose
A practice of not letting some people join a group
Using language or behavior that treats people as different and outside the group
Being rejected by most people and treated as an outsider
A feeling of not being included in a group or activity
A formal action that removes someone from a group for breaking rules
A place or group that is cut off and surrounded by a different area
A belief or action that treats people unfairly because of the social group they are born into
Antonyms
How Excluded
Surface Forms
Morphology
untouchability = untouchable (semi-transparent) = un + touch + able + ity
The derivation from the adjective 'untouchable' to the noun with '-ity' is a regular and obvious nominalization.
Etymology
Untouchability comes from three parts: un- 'not', touch 'to make contact', and -ability 'the state of being'. A helpful way to remember it is that it literally means 'not touchable', and it was used especially in India for the practice where some people were kept away and not allowed to mix with others, so it means social exclusion.