varnan.

Brit.

/ˈvɑːnə/,

/ˈvəːnə/, U.S.

/ˈvɑrnə/,

/ˈvərnə/

Inflections: Plural varnas, unchanged.

Origin: A borrowing from Sanskrit. Etymon: Sanskrit varṇa.

Etymology: < Sanskrit varṇa covering, colour, subdivision of people, particular social class, apparently < vṛ- to cover (probably < the same Indo-European base as (prefixed) classical Latin aperīre to open; compare aperient adj.) + -na, suffix forming nouns.Compare the following earlier use of the Sanskrit word in an English context, with English plural ending:1838 Penny Cycl. XII. 230/1 The division of Hindus into..castes..existed from the earliest times. In Sanskrit they are called varnas, that is ‘colours’.

Any of the four main social divisions or castes discussed in ancient Hindu texts and observed in traditional Hindu society, often but not always considered hereditary; the system or ideology of dividing society in this way. Cf. caste n. 2.The classes discussed in the ancient Hindu texts have social functions: the highest varna is that of Brahmins (the priestly and scholarly class), followed by Kshatriyas (the military and ruling class), Vaishyas (pastoralists and merchants), and Shudras (labourers). Some texts mention a fifth and lowest group, outside the varna system (cf. Dalit n., Scheduled Caste n.).

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > distinction of class > level or grade > a Hindu caste

castea1624

class1794

varna1883

1883 D. C. J. Ibbetson Outl. Panjáb Ethnogr. vi. 173 William Priest, John King, Edward Farmer, and James Smith are but the survivals in England of the four varnas of Manu.

1916 Bombay Chron. 12 Jan. 10/2 Hence was established the four-fold system of Varna and Ashrama, a scheme of graduated duties and discipline.

1931 N. K. Dutt Orig. & Growth Caste in India i. 6 Many castes or jatis were produced by a series of crosses..between members of the four varnas.

1992 C. J. Fuller Camphor Flame i. 12 The fourfold varna system..represents a scripturally authoritative, ideal religious model of Hindu society as a complementary hierarchy.

2009 Independent 15 Oct. 38/3 Under Hinduism there are four varnas—caste groupings—of which shudra is the lowest, though beneath the four varnas come the casteless Dalits or Untouchables.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2022).

单词	varna
释义	varnan. Brit. /ˈvɑːnə/, /ˈvəːnə/, U.S. /ˈvɑrnə/, /ˈvərnə/ Inflections: Plural varnas, unchanged. Origin: A borrowing from Sanskrit. Etymon: Sanskrit varṇa. Etymology: < Sanskrit varṇa covering, colour, subdivision of people, particular social class, apparently < vṛ- to cover (probably < the same Indo-European base as (prefixed) classical Latin aperīre to open; compare aperient adj.) + -na, suffix forming nouns.Compare the following earlier use of the Sanskrit word in an English context, with English plural ending:1838 Penny Cycl. XII. 230/1 The division of Hindus into..castes..existed from the earliest times. In Sanskrit they are called varnas, that is ‘colours’. Any of the four main social divisions or castes discussed in ancient Hindu texts and observed in traditional Hindu society, often but not always considered hereditary; the system or ideology of dividing society in this way. Cf. caste n. 2.The classes discussed in the ancient Hindu texts have social functions: the highest varna is that of Brahmins (the priestly and scholarly class), followed by Kshatriyas (the military and ruling class), Vaishyas (pastoralists and merchants), and Shudras (labourers). Some texts mention a fifth and lowest group, outside the varna system (cf. Dalit n., Scheduled Caste n.). ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > distinction of class > level or grade > a Hindu caste castea1624 class1794 varna1883 1883 D. C. J. Ibbetson Outl. Panjáb Ethnogr. vi. 173 William Priest, John King, Edward Farmer, and James Smith are but the survivals in England of the four varnas of Manu. 1916 Bombay Chron. 12 Jan. 10/2 Hence was established the four-fold system of Varna and Ashrama, a scheme of graduated duties and discipline. 1931 N. K. Dutt Orig. & Growth Caste in India i. 6 Many castes or jatis were produced by a series of crosses..between members of the four varnas. 1992 C. J. Fuller Camphor Flame i. 12 The fourfold varna system..represents a scripturally authoritative, ideal religious model of Hindu society as a complementary hierarchy. 2009 Independent 15 Oct. 38/3 Under Hinduism there are four varnas—caste groupings—of which shudra is the lowest, though beneath the four varnas come the casteless Dalits or Untouchables. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2022). < n.1883
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