caste

noun4

1. •
   Any of the hereditary social classes and subclasses of South Asian societies or similar found historically in other cultures.

   • Pakistan is a conservative, religious state. The Edhi Foundation is unusual in its ignoring of caste, creed, religion and sect. This strict stance has led to some criticism from religious groups. — 2017
2. •
   A separate and fixed order or class of persons in society who chiefly associate with each other.

   • 'I believe, Messieurs, in loyalty - to one's friends and one's family and one's caste.' — 1934
3. •
   The division of society into castes; the caste system.

   • It was an evidence of the peculiar nature of caste in country towns[.] — 1930
4. •
   A class of polymorphous eusocial insects of a particular size and function within a colony.

   • In beehives, most bees belong to the worker caste.