untouchability

American  

[uhn-tuhch-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌʌn tʌtʃ əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

Hinduism.

1. the quality or condition of being an untouchable, ascribed in the Vedic tradition to persons of low caste or to persons excluded from the caste system.

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Etymology

Origin of untouchability

First recorded in 1920–25; untouch(able) + -ability

Example Sentences

Mrs. Cromwell turned the conversation to the Mahatma's campaign against Untouchability, which she said impressed her.

From Time Magazine Archive

By introducing a series of talks on "Widow Remarriage," "Untouchability," etc. he shocked the orthodox public into listening to his Bombay station.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since Mahatma Gandhi dropped his anti-British disobedience campaign and turned to such a forlorn cause as abolishing Untouchability, more and more of India's Hindus have turned away from him.

From Time Magazine Archive

The neighboring States of Cochin and Mysore were expected to follow the lead of Travancore, but this lead went only a short way toward solving the problem of Untouchability.

From Time Magazine Archive

Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden.

From Time Magazine Archive