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").
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Examples
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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
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