\Pa"ri*ah\, n. [From Tamil paraiyan, pl. paraiyar, one of
the low caste, fr. parai a large drum, because they beat the
drums at certain festivals.]
1. One of an aboriginal people of Southern India, regarded by
   the four castes of the Hindoos as of very low grade. They
   are usually the serfs of the Sudra agriculturalists. See
   {Caste}. --Balfour (Cyc. of India).

2. An outcast; one despised by society.

{Pariah dog} (Zo["o]l.), a mongrel race of half-wild dogs
   which act as scavengers in Oriental cities.

{Pariah kite} (Zo["o]l.), a species of kite ({Milvus
   govinda}) which acts as a scavenger in India.