criminal tribe en · NOUN
Etymology
From criminal + tribe. First defined and introduced in Indian law by the Criminal Tribes Act 1871.
Meanings
- (India, historical) a caste or tribe in British India that is deemed by authorities in "addicted to the systematic commission of non-bailable offences", and was subjected to extensive police surveillance and registration.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| criminal tribes | Number=Plur | lexicographic |