varna

¹ American  

[vahr-nuh, vuhr-] / ˈvɑr nə, ˈvʌr- /

noun

1. Hinduism. class.

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Varna ² American  

[vahr-nuh] / ˈvɑr nə /

noun

1. a seaport in NE Bulgaria, on the Black Sea.

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Varna ¹ British  

/ ˈvarna /

noun

1. Former name (1949–56): Stalin.  a port in NE Bulgaria, on the Black Sea: founded by Greeks in the 6th century _bc ; under the Ottoman Turks (1391–1878). Pop: 340 000 (2005 est)

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varna ² British  

/ ˈvɑːnə /

noun

1. any of the four Hindu castes; Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya, or Sudra

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Etymology

Origin of varna

From the Sanskrit word varna literally, cover, color, hence sort, class

Explanation

In Hinduism, society is traditionally divided into four classes or castes, called varnas. The varnas were first mentioned in the oldest known Sanskrit text, the Rig Veda. In Sanskrit, varna, "color or shape," derives from the root vr, which means "to cover, count, or classify." This ancient way of classifying people led to India's caste system. The four varnas are Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (nobles), Vaishya (commoners or workers), and Shudras (servants).

Example Sentences

In this way, the Vedic religion of the Aryans religion produced the varna, a strictly hierarchical society based on inherited status.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

House and personal servants were of the fourth varna.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Indian civil servants were of the third varna.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Even within the varna, jobs were strictly regulated, which is why such large servant staffs were required.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Nana Sahib had named the barrier when he had spoken of varna, meaning colour, as caste, a shirt-of-mail that protected from disaster.

From Caste by Fraser, William Alexander