- Today's Word
Pariah
puh-RY-uh
Definition
- (noun) A person who is rejected or ostracized by society or a particular group; an outcast.
Example
After exposing the company’s unethical practices, he became a pariah in the corporate world, shunned by colleagues who feared association with him.
Fun Fact
The word “pariah” comes from the Tamil word paraiyar, which referred to a hereditary group of drummers in southern India who were considered social outcasts under the caste system. The term entered English during British colonial rule in India and evolved into a metaphor for anyone who is marginalized or excluded. Interestingly, its adoption into English reflects the cultural intersections and linguistic exchanges of colonial history, highlighting how specific cultural practices can influence broader language usage.
(verb) To reduce in intensity, force, or amount; to become less severe or widespread.
The protests didn’t end so much as abate — the crowds thinning gradually over three weeks until one morning the square was simply empty again.