What is the Difference Between Cast and Caste?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The words "cast" and "caste" are homophones, meaning they sound the same but have different meanings and origins. Here are the key differences between the two terms:

  • Cast: This term has multiple meanings, including:
  1. A group of actors or individuals in a play or movie.
  2. Something formed in a mold or an impression of something.
  3. A plaster of Paris-stiffened bandage molded to a broken bone.
  4. The act of throwing something forcefully in a particular direction.
  5. The company of actors in a play or movie.
  • Caste: This term refers to a social position assigned by virtue of heredity, wealth, or profession. A caste is a social class or a rigid system of social distinctions. The best-known caste system occurred in Hindu society with the Vedic hereditary classes: Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra. Today, the Constitution of India prohibits discrimination based on caste.

In summary, "cast" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, while "caste" refers to a social stratification system based on specific ranks, wealth, occupation, or other factors.

Comparative Table: Cast vs Caste

The main difference between "cast" and "caste" lies in their meanings and usage. Here's a table to illustrate the differences:

Term Meaning Usage
Cast A "cast" refers to a group of actors or performers in a film, theater, or television production. It can also refer to the act of casting or placing something, such as a vote or a spell. In the context of data manipulation, the SQL CAST function is used to explicitly convert a given data type to a different data type. In film, theater, or television productions, a cast is a group of actors or performers. In the context of data manipulation, the SQL CAST function is used to convert a given data type to a different data type.
Caste A "caste" refers to a social stratification system, typically associated with societies in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, where people are classified into specific social classes based on factors like heredity, occupation, or wealth. In the context of social stratification, a caste is a social class in a caste system.

In summary, "cast" and "caste" have distinct meanings and usage. "Cast" is primarily used in the context of film productions, theater, television, or data manipulation, while "caste" refers to a social stratification system.