Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Vaisya

American  
[vahys-yuh, vahysh-] / ˈvaɪs yə, ˈvaɪʃ- /

noun

  1. a member of the Hindu mercantile and professional class, above the Shudras and below the Kshatriyas.


Vaisya British  
/ ˈvaɪsjə, ˈvaɪʃjə /

noun

  1. the third of the four main Hindu castes, the traders

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Vaisya

First recorded in 1785–95, Vaisya is from the Sanskrit word vaiśya

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In this enumeration they assign the first rank to the Brachmans, or wise men; and by the artisans, they no doubt understood the trading and manufacturing class of the Vaisyas.

From Project Gutenberg

They form a class of the Vaisya caste, wear a peculiar dress, and are strict in the observance of fasts and in abstaining from the use of flesh.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact �rya, which means noble, is derived from ărya, which means householder, and was the original name of the largest caste, now called Vaisyas.

From Project Gutenberg

To keep herds of cattle, to bestow largesses, to sacrifice, to read the scripture, to carry on trade, to lend at interest, and to cultivate land, are prescribed or permitted to a Vaisya.

From Project Gutenberg

The second caste is that of the Kshatriyas, warriors or rulers, the third that of the Vaisyas or farmers.

From Project Gutenberg