caste mark

American  

noun

1. (in India) a mark, usually on the forehead, symbolizing and identifying caste membership.

2. a distinctive trait, associated with a group or class and marking a person as a member.

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Etymology

Origin of caste mark

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The circle of red powder on her forehead was not a caste mark, the Maharani explained, "but an auspicious sign which one may or may not wear without violating ethics."

From Time Magazine Archive

The Shriners' caste mark, worn proudly if sometimes absurdly, is a maroon felt hat that can conceal but does little else for a shiny bald head.

From Time Magazine Archive

Classical learning came to be valued as a caste mark.

From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by Sumner, William Graham

The priest, slow to heed them, at length deigned to dip his finger in a little paint and with it he smeared the caste mark on the foreheads of the worshipers.

From John Wesley, Jr. The Story of an Experiment by Brummitt, Dan B.

I bought different clothes, I painted my forehead with another caste mark, then I bought from the servant of an officer in another regiment his papers of service: recommendations from former masters.

From Colonel Thorndyke's Secret by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)