noun
eta; Edo-period outcaste group
Historical term for the lowest social class in the Edo-period caste system, whose members often handled tasks involving death, such as leatherworking or execution. The kanji spelling 穢多 is considered derogatory; the kana form えた is preferred in modern sensitive contexts.
江戸時代には、穢多と呼ばれる身分の人々がいた。
In the Edo period, there were people of a status called eta.
歴史の授業で「えた」という言葉の由来を学んだ。
In history class, we learned about the origin of the word 'eta'.
The exact origin of えた is uncertain. The kanji 穢多 are ateji (phonetic equivalents) carrying negative connotations: 穢 ('defilement') and 多 ('many').