Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pariah \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.