[jah-tee] 
| Main Entry: | jati |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a Hindu caste system; also, any of the subcastes of this system |
| Etymology: | Sanskrit 'birth' |
jati
caste, in Hindu society. The term is derived from the Sanskrit jata, "born" or "brought into existence," and indicates a form of existence determined by birth. In Indian philosophy jati (genus) describes any group of things that have generic characteristics in common. Sociologically, jati has come to be used universally to indicate a caste group among Hindus
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