Understanding Pariah: Definition, Examples, and Etymology
Pariah is a noun that refers to a person or group that is rejected or shunned by society, often due to their social status, race, religion, or other factors. The term can also be used to describe something that is considered disreputable or unacceptable.
Examples:
* The outcast pariah was forced to live on the fringes of town.
* The company's reputation was tarnished when it was revealed that they had hired a pariah as their CEO.
* The novel explores the struggles of a family who is shunned by their community due to their pariah status.
Etymology:
The word "pariah" comes from the Tamil language of Sri Lanka, where it referred to a low-caste group that was considered impure and excluded from society. It has been used in English since the 17th century to describe outcasts and marginalized groups.