harijan

noun

ha·ri·jan ˌhär-i-ˈjän

often capitalized

: a member of the outcaste group in India : untouchable

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit harijana one belonging to the god Vishnu, from Hari Vishnu + jana person

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of harijan was in 1932

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Browse Nearby Words

haricot vert

harijan

hari-kari

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Harijan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harijan. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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