1. Beyond the reach of criticism, attack or impeachment
   "for the first time criticism was directed at a hitherto untouchable target"
    
2. Forbidden to the touch
   "in most museums such articles are untouchable"
    
3. Impossible to challenge successfully
   "The champion's record seemed untouchable";
   - unassailable
    
4. Not capable of being obtained
   "untouchable resources buried deep within the earth";
   - inaccessible, unobtainable, unprocurable
    
5. (in traditional Hindu society) considered ritually defiling to higher castes
   "The untouchable status of certain groups in India has been officially abolished"

1. A person or thing that cannot be affected, influenced, or defeated
   "The champion boxer was an untouchable in his prime"
    
2. [offensive, archaic] Belongs to lowest social and ritual class in India
   "The untouchable activist fought for equal rights";
   - Harijan, Dalit

Derived forms: untouchables

See also: impermissible, impure, inviolable, invulnerable, irrefrangible, unavailable, unclean

Type of: castaway, Ishmael, outcast, pariah

Encyclopedia: Untouchable