Caste vs. Cast — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
Caste refers to a social stratification system often seen in South Asian cultures, while cast can mean to throw something, shape materials in a mold, or a group of actors in a play or film.
Difference Between Caste and Cast
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Caste refers to a hierarchical social structure, particularly prevalent in India, where society is divided into rigid social classes. These classes are typically hereditary and dictate various aspects of social life, including marriage, occupation, and social interactions. Cast, on the other hand, is a versatile term with multiple meanings. As a verb, it means to throw something forcefully or to shape materials by pouring them into a mold, such as casting metal. As a noun, cast can refer to a group of actors in a play, movie, or other performance.
The term "caste" is rooted in social and cultural contexts, often tied to historical and religious traditions that define social order. It emphasizes the immutability and rigidity of social divisions based on birth.
In contrast, "cast" as a verb or noun spans various contexts from physical actions, such as throwing or molding, to artistic and medical fields, such as theater ensembles or orthopedic casts. Its usage is more flexible and less tied to social structures.
Caste implies a fixed, inherited status within a society, often associated with social norms and discrimination. Cast, however, indicates an action, a collection of people in a performance, or the process of shaping or forming materials.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Social stratification system
To throw, shape in a mold, or group of actors
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Context
Social, cultural
Physical action, theater, medical
Primary Usage
Describes social classes
Describes an action or group
Flexibility
Fixed and hereditary
Versatile and context-dependent
Example
Indian caste system
Casting a fishing line, a movie cast
Compare with Definitions
Caste
A form of social hierarchy often linked to cultural and religious beliefs.
The caste hierarchy dictated many aspects of their daily life.
Cast
Throw (something) forcefully in a specified direction
Individuals who do not accept the norms are cast out from the group
He cast the book down on to the chair angrily
The fishermen cast a large net around a school of tuna
Caste
A system of social stratification based on heredity.
The caste system in India has been a subject of much debate and reform.
Cast
Cause (light or shadow) to appear on a surface
The moon cast a pale light over the cottages
Caste
A distinct social group with specific roles and privileges.
Each caste has its own traditional occupation.
Cast
Discard
He jumped in, casting caution to the wind
Caste
Caste is a form of social stratification characterized by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultural notions of purity and pollution. Its paradigmatic ethnographic example is the division of India's Hindu society into rigid social groups, with roots in India's ancient history and persisting to the present time.
Cast
Shape (metal or other material) by pouring it into a mould while molten
When hammered or cast, bronze could be made into tools
Caste
Any of the hereditary, endogamous social classes or subclasses of traditional Hindu society, stratified according to Hindu ritual purity, especially the Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra castes.
Cast
Register (a vote)
Votes have been cast in 40 per cent of the seats
Caste
A social class separated from others by distinctions of hereditary rank, profession, or wealth.
Cast
Cause (a magic spell) to take effect
The city casts a spell on the visitor
The witch cast a spell on her to turn her into a beast
Caste
A social system or the principle of grading society based on castes.
Cast
Calculate and record details of (a horoscope)
You can look at the star chart cast at somebody's birth
Caste
The social position or status conferred by a system based on castes
Lose caste by doing work beneath one's station.
Cast
(in country dancing) change one's position by moving a certain number of places in a certain direction along the outside of the line in which one is dancing
Cross the set and cast down one place
Caste
A specialized level in a colony of social insects, such as ants, in which the members, such as workers or soldiers, carry out a specific function.
Cast
(of a dog) search in different directions for a lost scent
The dog cast furiously for the vanished rabbit
Caste
Any of the hereditary social classes and subclasses of South Asian societies.
Cast
Immobilize (an animal, especially a cow) by using a rope to cause it to fall on its side.
Caste
A separate and fixed order or class of persons in society who chiefly associate with each other.
Cast
Assign a part in a play or film to (an actor)
He was cast as a young knight in her lavish historical epic
Caste
(zoology) A class of polymorphous eusocial insects of a particular size and function within a colony.
Cast
An object made by shaping molten metal or similar material in a mould
Bronze casts of the sculpture
Caste
One of the hereditary classes into which the Hindu are divided according to the laws of Brahmanism.
Cast
An act of throwing something forcefully
He grabbed a spear for a third cast
Caste
A separate and fixed order or class of persons in society who chiefly hold intercourse among themselves.
The tinkers then formed an hereditary caste.
Cast
The form or appearance of something, especially someone's features or complexion
She had a somewhat masculine cast of countenance
The colours he wore emphasized the olive cast of his skin
Caste
Social status or position conferred by a system based on class;
Lose caste by doing work beneath one's station
Cast
A slight squint
He had a cast in one eye
Caste
(Hinduism) a hereditary social class among Hindus; stratified according to ritual purity
Cast
Short for worm cast
Caste
A social class separated from others by distinctions of hereditary rank or profession or wealth
Cast
A wide search made by a hound or pack of hounds to find a trail.
Caste
A rigid social class within such a system.
He was born into the Brahmin caste.
Cast
A pair or group of hawks or falcons
He gave one thousand pounds for a cast of hawks
Caste
A hereditary class in societies that practice social stratification.
The caste into which she was born determined her social status.
Cast
The actors taking part in a play, film, or other production
He draws sensitive performances from his inexperienced cast
Cast
To throw (something, especially something light)
The boy cast stones in the water.
Cast
To throw with force; hurl
Waves that cast driftwood far up on the shore.
Cast
To throw or propel a lure or bait at the end of (a fishing line) into the water so as to catch fish or other aquatic life.
Cast
To throw (a net), as in fishing; cause to spread out.
Cast
To throw on the ground, as in wrestling.
Cast
To let fall; drop
Cast anchor.
Cast
To roll or throw (dice, for example).
Cast
To draw (lots).
Cast
To shed; molt
The snake cast its skin.
Cast
To deposit or indicate (a ballot or vote).
Cast
To turn or direct
All eyes were cast upon the speaker.
Cast
To cause to fall onto or over something or in a certain direction
Candles casting light.
Trees casting shadows.
Cast
To assert in relation to someone or something or cause to be associated
Don't let him cast aspersions on your character. The results cast doubt on our hypothesis.
Cast
To give birth to prematurely
The cow cast a calf.
Cast
To cause (hunting hounds) to scatter and circle in search of a lost scent.
Cast
To choose actors for (a play, for example).
Cast
To assign a certain role to (an actor)
Cast her as the lead.
Cast
To assign an actor to (a part)
Cast each role carefully.
Cast
To form (liquid metal, for example) into a particular shape by pouring into a mold.
Cast
To make (an object) by casting liquid metal.
Cast
To arrange or devise
Cast the book in three parts.
Cast a plan.
Cast
To calculate or compute; add up (a column of figures).
Cast
To calculate astrologically
Cast my horoscope.
Cast
To warp; twist
Floorboards cast by age.
Cast
(Nautical) To turn (a ship); change to the opposite tack.
Cast
To throw something, especially to throw out a lure or bait at the end of a fishing line.
Cast
To add a column of figures; make calculations.
Cast
To receive form or shape in a mold
A material that casts well.
Cast
To become warped.
Cast
To search for a lost scent in hunting with hounds.
Cast
To veer to leeward from a former course; fall off.
Cast
To put about; tack.
Cast
To choose actors for the parts in a play, movie, or other theatrical presentation.
Cast
The act or an instance of casting or throwing.
Cast
The act or an instance of throwing a fishing line or net into the water.
Cast
The line or net thrown.
Cast
The distance covered by a throw.
Cast
A throw of dice.
Cast
The number on dice facing up when thrown.
Cast
A stroke of fortune or fate; a lot.
Cast
Something, such as molted skin, that is thrown off, out, or away.
Cast
A piece of excrement produced by an earthworm.
Cast
A direction or expression of the eyes.
Cast
A slight squint.
Cast
The addition of a column of figures; calculation.
Cast
A conjecture; a forecast.
Cast
The act of pouring molten material into a mold.
Cast
The amount of molten material poured into a mold at a single operation.
Cast
Something formed by this means or in a mold or matrix
The sculpture was a bronze cast. They made a cast of her face.
Cast
A rigid dressing, usually made of gauze and plaster of Paris, used to immobilize an injured body part, as in a fracture or dislocation. Also called plaster cast.
Cast
The form in which something is made or constructed; arrangement
The close-set cast of her features.
Cast
Outward form or look; appearance
A suit of stylish cast.
Cast
Sort; type
Fancied himself to be of a macho cast.
Cast
An inclination; tendency
Her thoughtful cast of mind.
Cast
The actors in a play, movie, or other theatrical presentation.
Cast
A slight trace of color; a tinge.
Cast
A distortion of shape.
Cast
The circling of hounds to pick up a scent in hunting.
Cast
A pair of hawks released by a falconer at one time.
Cast
(physical) To move, or be moved, away.
Cast
To throw.
Cast
To throw forward (a fishing line, net etc.) into the sea.
Cast
To throw down or aside.
Cast
(of an animal) To throw off (the skin) as a process of growth; to shed the hair or fur of the coat.
Cast
To remove, take off (clothes).
Cast
(nautical) To heave the lead and line in order to ascertain the depth of water.
Cast
(obsolete) To vomit.
Cast
(archaic) To throw up, as a mound, or rampart.
Cast
(archaic) To throw out or emit; to exhale.
Cast
To direct (one's eyes, gaze etc.).
Cast
(dated) To add up (a column of figures, accounts etc.); cross-cast refers to adding up a row of figures.
Cast
(social) To predict, to decide, to plan.
Cast
(astrology) To calculate the astrological value of (a horoscope, birth etc.).
Cast
(obsolete) To plan, intend.
Cast
(transitive) To assign (a role in a play or performance).
The director cast the part carefully.
Cast
(transitive) To assign a role in a play or performance to (an actor).
The director cast John Smith as King Lear.
Cast
To consider; to turn or revolve in the mind; to plan.
To cast about for reasons
Cast
(archaic) To impose; to bestow; to rest.
Cast
(archaic) To defeat in a lawsuit; to decide against; to convict.
To be cast in damages
Cast
To turn (the balance or scale); to overbalance; hence, to make preponderate; to decide.
A casting voice
Cast
To perform, bring forth (a magical spell or enchantment).
Cast
To throw (light etc.) on or upon something, or in a given direction.
Cast
(archaic) To give birth to (a child) prematurely; to miscarry.
Cast
To shape (molten metal etc.) by pouring into a mould; to make (an object) in such a way.
Cast
To stereotype or electrotype.
Cast
To twist or warp (of fabric, timber etc.).
Cast
(nautical) To bring the bows of a sailing ship on to the required tack just as the anchor is weighed by use of the headsail; to bring (a ship) round.
Cast
To deposit (a ballot or voting paper); to formally register (one's vote).
Cast
(computing) To change a variable type from, for example, integer to real, or integer to text.
Casting is generally an indication of bad design.
Cast
(hunting) Of dogs, hunters: to spread out and search for a scent.
Cast
(medicine) To set (a bone etc.) in a cast.
Some are still missing examples
Cast
(Wicca) To open a circle in order to begin a spell or meeting of witches.
Cast
(media) To broadcast (video) over the Internet or a local network, especially to one's television.
The streamer was the first to cast footage of the new game.
Cast
An act of throwing.
Cast
(fishing) An instance of throwing out a fishing line.
Cast
Something which has been thrown, dispersed etc.
Cast
A small mass of earth "thrown off" or excreted by a worm.
The area near the stream was covered with little bubbly worm casts.
Cast
The collective group of actors performing a play or production together. Contrasted with crew.
He’s in the cast of Oliver.
The cast was praised for a fine performance.
Cast
The casting procedure.
The men got into position for the cast, two at the ladle, two with long rods, all with heavy clothing.
Cast
An object made in a mould.
The cast would need a great deal of machining to become a recognizable finished part.
Cast
A supportive and immobilising device used to help mend broken bones.
The doctor put a cast on the boy’s broken arm.
Cast
The mould used to make cast objects.
A plaster cast was made from his face.
Cast
(hawking) The number of hawks (or occasionally other birds) cast off at one time; a pair.
Cast
A squint.
Cast
Visual appearance.
Her features had a delicate cast to them.
Cast
The form of one's thoughts, mind etc.
A cast of mind, a mental tendency.
Cast
Animal and insect remains which have been regurgitated by a bird.
Cast
A group of crabs.
Cast
Of an animal, such as a horse or sheep: Lying in a position from which it cannot rise on its own.
Cast
To send or drive by force; to throw; to fling; to hurl; to impel.
Uzziah prepared . . . slings to cast stones.
Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
We must be cast upon a certain island.
Cast
To direct or turn, as the eyes.
How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me!
Cast
To drop; to deposit; as, to cast a ballot.
Cast
To throw down, as in wrestling.
Cast
To throw up, as a mound, or rampart.
Thine enemies shall cast a trench [bank] about thee.
Cast
To throw off; to eject; to shed; to lose.
His filth within being cast.
Neither shall your vine cast her fruit.
The creatures that cast the skin are the snake, the viper, etc.
Cast
To bring forth prematurely; to slink.
Thy she-goats have not cast their young.
Cast
To throw out or emit; to exhale.
This . . . casts a sulphureous smell.
Cast
To cause to fall; to shed; to reflect; to throw; as, to cast a ray upon a screen; to cast light upon a subject.
Cast
To impose; to bestow; to rest.
The government I cast upon my brother.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord.
Cast
To dismiss; to discard; to cashier.
The state can not with safety cast him.
Cast
To compute; to reckon; to calculate; as, to cast a horoscope.
You cast the event of war, my noble lord.
Cast
To contrive; to plan.
The cloister . . . had, I doubt not, been cast for [an orange-house].
Cast
To defeat in a lawsuit; to decide against; to convict; as, to be cast in damages.
She was cast to be hanged.
Were the case referred to any competent judge, they would inevitably be cast.
Cast
To turn (the balance or scale); to overbalance; hence, to make preponderate; to decide; as, a casting voice.
How much interest casts the balance in cases dubious!
Cast
To form into a particular shape, by pouring liquid metal or other material into a mold; to fashion; to found; as, to cast bells, stoves, bullets.
Cast
To stereotype or electrotype.
Cast
To fix, distribute, or allot, as the parts of a play among actors; also to assign (an actor) for a part.
Our parts in the other world will be new cast.
Cast
To throw, as a line in angling, esp, with a fly hook.
Cast
To turn the head of a vessel around from the wind in getting under weigh.
Weigh anchor, cast to starboard.
Cast
To consider; to turn or revolve in the mind; to plan; as, to cast about for reasons.
She . . . cast in her mind what manner of salution this should be.
Cast
To calculate; to compute.
Who would cast and balance at a desk.
Cast
To receive form or shape in a mold.
It will not run thin, so as to cast and mold.
Cast
To warp; to become twisted out of shape.
Stuff is said to cast or warp when . . . it alters its flatness or straightness.
Cast
To vomit.
These verses . . . make me ready to cast.
Cast
The act of casting or throwing; a throw.
Cast
The thing thrown.
A cast of dreadful dust.
Cast
The distance to which a thing is or can be thrown.
Cast
A throw of dice; hence, a chance or venture.
An even cast whether the army should march this way or that way.
I have set my life upon a cast,And I will stand the hazard of the die.
Cast
That which is throw out or off, shed, or ejected; as, the skin of an insect, the refuse from a hawk's stomach, the excrement of a earthworm.
Cast
The act of casting in a mold.
And why such daily cast of brazen cannon.
Cast
An impression or mold, taken from a thing or person; amold; a pattern.
Cast
That which is formed in a mild; esp. a reproduction or copy, as of a work of art, in bronze or plaster, etc.; a casting.
Cast
Form; appearence; mien; air; style; as, a peculiar cast of countenance.
An heroic poem, but in another cast and figure.
And thus the native hue of resolutionIs sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought.
Cast
A tendency to any color; a tinge; a shade.
Gray with a cast of green.
Cast
A chance, opportunity, privilege, or advantage; specifically, an opportunity of riding; a lift.
We bargained with the driver to give us a cast to the next stage.
If we had the cast o' a cart to bring it.
Cast
The assignment of parts in a play to the actors.
Cast
A flight or a couple or set of hawks let go at one time from the hand.
As when a cast of falcons make their flight.
Cast
A stoke, touch, or trick.
This was a cast of Wood's politics; for his information was wholly false.
Cast
A motion or turn, as of the eye; direction; look; glance; squint.
The cast of the eye is a gesture of aversion.
And let you see with one cast of an eye.
This freakish, elvish cast came into the child's eye.
Cast
A tube or funnel for conveying metal into a mold.
Cast
Four; that is, as many as are thrown into a vessel at once in counting herrings, etc; a warp.
Cast
Contrivance; plot, design.
Cast
The actors in a play
Cast
Container into which liquid is poured to create a given shape when it hardens
Cast
The distinctive form in which a thing is made;
Pottery of this cast was found throughout the region
Cast
The visual appearance of something or someone;
The delicate cast of his features
Cast
Bandage consisting of a firm covering (often made of plaster of Paris) that immobilizes broken bones while they heal
Cast
Object formed by a mold
Cast
The act of throwing dice
Cast
The act of throwing a fishing line out over the water by means of a rod and reel
Cast
A violent throw
Cast
Put or send forth;
She threw the flashlight beam into the corner
The setting sun threw long shadows
Cast a spell
Cast a warm light
Cast
Deposit;
Cast a vote
Cast a ballot
Cast
Select to play,sing, or dance a part in a play, movie, musical, opera, or ballet;
He cast a young woman in the role of Desdemona
Cast
Throw forcefully
Cast
Assign the roles of (a movie or a play) to actors;
Who cast this beautiful movie?
Cast
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;
The gypsies roamed the woods
Roving vagabonds
The wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
The laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town
Cast
Form by pouring (e.g., wax or hot metal) into a cast or mold;
Cast a bronze sculpture
Cast
Get rid of;
He shed his image as a pushy boss
Shed your clothes
Cast
Choose at random;
Draw a card
Cast lots
Cast
Formulate in a particular style or language;
I wouldn't put it that way
She cast her request in very polite language
Cast
Eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth;
After drinking too much, the students vomited
He purged continuously
The patient regurgitated the food we gave him last night
Cast
(of molten metal or glass) formed by pouring or pressing into a mold
Cast
To throw something forcefully.
He cast the stone into the river.
Cast
To shape materials by pouring them into a mold.
The statue was cast in bronze.
Cast
A group of actors in a play or movie.
The cast of the play rehearsed their lines.
Cast
A hard protective shell for a broken bone.
She wore a cast on her arm after the fracture.
Cast
The act of throwing a fishing line.
He cast his line into the lake, hoping to catch a fish.
Common Curiosities
What does cast mean in acting?
In acting, cast refers to the group of actors performing in a play, movie, or other production.
What does it mean to cast a fishing line?
To cast a fishing line means to throw the line into the water to catch fish.
What materials can be cast in molds?
Materials like metal, plastic, and concrete can be cast in molds to create shapes.
What is a caste system?
A caste system is a social stratification system where people are divided into hereditary classes.
How does a cast help a broken bone?
A cast immobilizes the bone, allowing it to heal properly by keeping it in place.
Is caste system still practiced today?
Yes, the caste system is still practiced in some societies, though it faces legal and social challenges.
Why is caste important in certain cultures?
Caste can dictate social order, occupational roles, and community interactions based on historical and religious traditions.
Does the word cast have multiple meanings?
Yes, cast can refer to throwing, shaping materials in a mold, or a group of actors.
How does caste impact social mobility?
Caste can restrict social mobility by fixing individuals into hereditary social classes.
Can someone change their caste?
Traditionally, caste is hereditary and fixed, making it difficult to change.
How is casting used in manufacturing?
In manufacturing, casting involves pouring liquid material into molds to create specific shapes and objects.
Who decides the cast of a movie?
The casting director, along with the director and producers, typically decide the cast of a movie.
What is the significance of a cast in theater?
The cast is crucial in theater as it comprises the performers who bring the play to life.
What is the historical origin of the caste system?
The caste system has ancient roots, particularly in South Asia, and is often linked to Hindu religious texts and social practices.
What are the main actions involved in casting a mold?
The main actions are preparing the mold, pouring the material into it, and allowing it to harden.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
