1. One of an
aboriginal people of
Southern India, regarded by the four castes of the Hindoos as of very
low grade. They are generally the serfs of the Sudra agriculturalists. See Caste.
2. An outcast; one despised by society. Pariah dog, a
species of
kite (Milvus govinda) which acts as a
scavenger in India.
Origin: From Tamil paraiyan, pl. Paraiyar, one of the
low caste, fr. Parai a
big drum, because they
beat the drums at determined festivals
Source: Websters Vocabulary