chetty
(ˈtʃɛtɪ)
Also chetti(e, chitty.
[Malayalam cheṭṭi, Tamil sheṭṭi.]
An individual of any of the South-Indian trading castes so named. Also attrib.
| 1598 W. Phillip tr. Linschoten's Voy. E. Indies i. 58/2 There are some likewise that get their liuings by their friends, trauelling for them from place to place with some wares and marchandises, and they are called Chattiins. 1686 in J. T. Wheeler Madras in Olden Time (1861) I. 152 If the Chetty Bazaar people do not immediately open their shops and sell their grain. 1773 Ives Voy. 25 Chitties are a particular kind of merchants of Madrass, and are generally very rich, but rank with the left hand cast. 1880 Encycl. Brit. XII. 760/1 Along the eastern sea-board [of India] the predominating classes of traders are those named Chetties and Komatis. 1908 C. Corner Ceylon xxix. 270 Very exclusive indeed is the Chettie socially. Ibid. 273 The host..a Chettie in chettie costume. 1912 Times 1 Oct. 6/6 A chetty gave as a treat to 173 persons a bushel of rice each. 1934 ‘G. Orwell’ Burmese Days ix. 144 The Indian chetty in the bazaar would cash cheques. |