[out-kast, -kahst] 
| 1. | (in India) a person who has left or been expelled from his or her caste. |
| 2. | a person of no caste. |
| out·caste (out'kāst') n. An Untouchable. |
outcaste
in the Hindu caste system, an individual or group that has been thrown out of caste, usually for some ritual offense. The outcasting may be temporary or permanent. In the 19th century, a Hindu faced excommunication for going abroad, where it was presumed he would be forced to break caste restrictions and, as a result, become polluted. Such an offender would be reinstated upon completion of the proper observances, usually culminating in payment of a fine or giving a feast for caste brethren.
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