Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A peasant or agricultural labourer in South Asia.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Urdu رعیت (ra‘īyat, "peasant"), from Persian رعیت (ra‘iyat, "population, peasants"), from Arabic رعية (ra‘īya, "flock, herd").

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word raiyat.

Examples

  • When we remember the enormous power of the zemindar following from the unfortunate absence of any record of right upon which the tenant can lean, and rely, we can well understand how a raiyat hesitates to oppose his landlord's will.

    Indian Unrest Valentine Chirol 1890

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.