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ghetto

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ghetto

Main Entry:: ¹ghet·to
Pronunciation:: \ˈge-(ˌ)tō\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural ghettos also ghettoes
Etymology:: Italian, from Venetian dialect ghèto island where Jews were forced to live, literally, foundry (located on the island), from ghetàr to cast, from Latin jactare to throw — more at jet
Date:: 1611

1: a quarter of a city in which Jews were formerly required to live2: a quarter of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure3 a: an isolated group <a geriatric ghetto> b: a situation that resembles a ghetto especially in conferring inferior status or limiting opportunity <the pink-collar ghetto>

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