n. [ From Tamil paraiyan, pl. paraiyar, one of the low caste, fr. parai a large drum, because they beat the drums at certain festivals. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. One of an aboriginal people of Southern India, regarded by the four castes of the Hindus as of very low grade. They are usually the serfs of the Sudra agriculturalists. See Caste. Balfour (Cyc. of India). [ 1913 Webster ]
2. An outcast; one despised by society. [ 1913 Webster ]
Pariah dog (Zool.), a mongrel race of half-wild dogs which act as scavengers in Oriental cities. -- Pariah kite (Zool.), a species of kite (Milvus govinda) which acts as a scavenger in India. [ 1913 Webster ]