untouchable

  • adjective 1 not able to be touched or affected. 2 unable to be matched or rivalled. 3 historical of or belonging to the lowest-caste Hindu group or the people outside the caste system.

  • noun historical a member of the lowest-caste Hindu group.

  — DERIVATIVES untouchability noun.

  — USAGE In senses relating to the traditional Hindu caste system, the term untouchable and the social restrictions accompanying it were declared illegal in the constitution of India in 1949 and of Pakistan in 1953. The official term today is scheduled caste.

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