pariah
UK: pəˈraɪə | US: pəˈraɪə
n. 1. A social outcast; someone rejected by society.
n. 2. Historically, a member of a low caste or marginalized group in South Asia.
pariah = par<drum> + iah<noun suffix>
- par<drum>: From Tamil paraiyan, meaning "drummer" (referring to a low-caste group traditionally tasked with drumming).
- iah<noun suffix>: A common suffix in Tamil and other Dravidian languages to denote a person or group.
Etymology Origin:
The word pariah originates from Tamil paraiyan, referring to a marginalized caste historically associated with drumming. British colonial usage generalized the term to mean any social outcast, stripping it of its specific cultural context while retaining its core idea of exclusion.
After the scandal, he became a pariah in the business community.
The novel portrays the protagonist as a pariah shunned by her village.
In some societies, whistleblowers are treated as pariahs.
The term "pariah state" describes nations isolated by the international community.
She felt like a pariah after expressing her unpopular opinion.