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• varna
  varna

  noun

  class.
• Varna
  Varna

  noun

  a seaport in NE Bulgaria, on the Black Sea.

varna

¹ American  

[vahr-nuh, vuhr-] / ˈvɑr nə, ˈvʌr- /

noun

1. Hinduism. class.

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Varna ² American  

[vahr-nuh] / ˈvɑr nə /

noun

1. a seaport in NE Bulgaria, on the Black Sea.

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Varna ¹ British  

/ ˈvarna /

noun

1. Former name (1949–56): Stalin.  a port in NE Bulgaria, on the Black Sea: founded by Greeks in the 6th century _bc ; under the Ottoman Turks (1391–1878). Pop: 340 000 (2005 est)

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varna ² British  

/ ˈvɑːnə /

noun

1. any of the four Hindu castes; Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya, or Sudra

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Etymology

Origin of varna

From the Sanskrit word varna literally, cover, color, hence sort, class

Explanation

In Hinduism, society is traditionally divided into four classes or castes, called varnas. The varnas were first mentioned in the oldest known Sanskrit text, the Rig Veda. In Sanskrit, varna, "color or shape," derives from the root vr, which means "to cover, count, or classify." This ancient way of classifying people led to India's caste system. The four varnas are Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (nobles), Vaishya (commoners or workers), and Shudras (servants).

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

varna Varna

In this way, the Vedic religion of the Aryans religion produced the varna, a strictly hierarchical society based on inherited status.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

Indian civil servants were of the third varna.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012

Castes were divided into four broad categories called varna.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012

Even within the varna, jobs were strictly regulated, which is why such large servant staffs were required.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012

Nana Sahib had named the barrier when he had spoken of varna, meaning colour, as caste, a shirt-of-mail that protected from disaster.

From Caste by Fraser, William Alexander

Dancing together in 1974, she won the Gold Prize at the Varna International Ballet Competition, the first time a Japanese dancer had won one of ballet’s most prestigious awards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Darina Yotova was born in the Black Sea port city of Varna, where she graduated from the National School of Arts.

From Barron's ● May 17, 2026

The property is along the Tujunga Wash in the 7000 block of Varna Avenue, just north of Saticoy Street.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2026

On Saturday, authorities at the Bulgarian port of Varna did not confirm whether the Anna-Theresa will enter the port or will continue to the Bosporus Strait.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 2, 2023

He was brought from the castle by Szgany, and probably they delivered their cargo to Slovaks who took the boxes to Varna, for there they were shipped for London.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker