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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

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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

House and personal servants were of the fourth 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

Indian civil servants were of the third varna.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012

The diamonds of Borneo are distinguished into four waters, which they call varna, viz.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 08 by Robert Kerr

Four of them -- three Syrians and one Egyptian -- were brought back to the port of Varna on Tuesday evening by a border guard vessel.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

All 15 crew members, seven Ukrainian and eight Azerbaijani nationals, were transported to safety in the Bulgarian port of Varna, Radev said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 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

Fischer actually devoted fourteen pages of exhaustive analysis to his draw against Botvinnik at Varna.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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