Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
untouchability
noun
/ʌnˈtʌtʃəˌbɪlɪti/
Definition
Untouchability refers to a social practice that involves the segregation and discrimination against certain groups, often based on caste or socioeconomic status. It is a system that deems certain individuals as ‘untouchables’ and prohibits them from interacting with or being touched by those from higher social strata.
Examples
- The practice of untouchability has been legally abolished, yet it continues to influence social interactions in some communities.
- Activists are working to eradicate the remnants of untouchability in modern society.
- Many people face discrimination due to the legacy of untouchability, despite improvements in legal rights.
Meaning
The term emphasizes exclusion and social isolation, typically associated with caste-based discrimination, particularly in South Asian cultures.
Synonyms
- Segregation
- Discrimination
- Exclusion
- Social ostracism
