Caste (noun) refers to a fixed social group or hierarchy, traditionally determined by birth, with associated roles, privileges, and restrictions. It can also describe a system or division within other contexts (e.g., a caste in a dragonfly’s taxonomic sense). The term emphasizes social stratification rather than individual merit, and usage often highlights cultural or political implications.
"In India, the caste system has historically structured life chances and social interactions."
"The new policy aimed to reduce caste-based discrimination in schools and workplaces."
"She researched how caste distinctions persist in contemporary politics and economics."
"The fantasy novel describes a magical caste order with kings representing different castes."
Caste comes from the Portuguese caste, borrowed from the Spanish casta, meaning a lineage, race, or breed. The root is Latin castus, meaning pure or cut, related to the idea of lineage. The first English usage appears in the 16th century, originally denoting lineage or breed; by the 17th century it broadened to refer to divisions within social hierarchies. The term gained widespread sociological significance in the 19th and 20th centuries with the codification of caste systems in South Asia and in anthropological writings that described rigid social stratifications. In modern usage, caste often carries connotations of inherited status and social exclusion, though it also appears in broader contexts to describe any stratified groupings. As global discourse on social justice evolved, the word’s usage shifted to emphasize discrimination and policy reform, while still retaining its etymological tie to birth-based classification.
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Words that rhyme with "Caste"
-ste sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˈkæst/ in US English and /ˈkɑːst/ in UK/AU English. The vowel is a short, lax front vowel in US (æ) and a broader back vowel in UK/AU (ɑː). The word is stressed on the first syllable, with a crisp final t. Mouth position: lips neutral, tongue high-front for /æ/ or back for /ɑː/, and tip of the tongue makes contact for the /t/ release. You’ll hear a clean, voiceless stop at the end. Audio reference: listen for the short a sound and final t in standard dictionaries.
Common errors include substituting /eɪ/ as in cake for /æ/ in US English (e.g., /ˈkeɪst/), softening the /t/ into a flap in rapid speech, or clipping the final consonant to /s/ when release is expected. Another mistake is inserting an extra vowel between /k/ and /æ/ (/kəæst/). Correct by focusing on a short, crisp /æ/ or /ɑː/ before the /st/ cluster, and practicing a full, released /t/ with no vowel before it.
In US English, /ˈkæst/ with a short /æ/ and clear /t/. In UK/AU, /ˈkɑːst/ or /ˈkɑːst/ depending on accent, with a broader, open back vowel and non-rhotic tendency in some British varieties where the /t/ stays as a released stop. Australian English often aligns with UK vowel quality in many regions, maintaining /ˈkɑːst/. The rhoticity doesn’t affect this word’s final consonant, but vowel height and length vary by region.
The challenge lies in the short, tense vowel contrast between /æ/ (as in cat) and the broader /ɑː/ (as in father) across varieties, as well as ensuring a crisp /t/ release. Some speakers inadvertently insert a schwa before the /t/ or voice the final /t/ differently in rapid speech. Pay attention to the tongue position for the vowel and avoid delaying the /t/ with an extra vowel. IPA cues help: US /ˈkæst/, UK/AU /ˈkɑːst/.
The unique aspect is the single-syllable nature with a strong, clear onset consonant /k/ and a trailing /st/ cluster. Ensure you do not aspirate the final /t/ too much or rely on a heavy /s/ before /t/. Practice transitioning from the tongue tip behind the upper teeth for /t/ release, with a short, crisp vowel immediately before it. IPA reference: US /ˈkæst/, UK/AU /ˈkɑːst/.
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