Pronunciation: [də klˈast] (IPA) 
The term "de classed" is spelled with two separate words, "de" and "classed". The first syllable "de" is pronounced as "də", which is represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /də/. The second syllable "classed" is pronounced as "klast", represented in IPA as /klæst/. Together, "de classed" means "relegated from a higher social class" and is commonly used in discussions of socio-economic status.
The term "declassed" refers to an individual or a group of people who have experienced social or economic decline, transitioning from a higher social or economic status to a lower one. It is commonly used to describe individuals who were once part of a privileged or higher social class but have been pushed or pulled down to a lower socioeconomic status.
The concept of declassed is primarily associated with the field of sociology and is used to analyze class mobility and the impact of social change on individual lives. This transition can occur due to various reasons, such as financial instability, unemployment, bankruptcy, or loss of social prestige.
Being declassed often results in a loss of social recognition, access to privileges, and a decline in one's overall standard of living. This can lead to feelings of marginalization, stigmatization, and a loss of identity for the declassed individuals. They may struggle to adapt to their new circumstances, facing challenges in adjusting to the lower socioeconomic class and its associated lifestyle.
The term "declassed" can be used to refer to both individuals and groups who experience downward mobility. It highlights the societal impact of economic and social changes on people's lives, emphasizing the challenges and consequences faced by those who transition from a higher to a lower social class.
The word "declassed" is derived from the French term "déclassé", which means "deprived of social status" or "downgraded". It comes from the verb "déclasser", which signifies "to remove someone from a social class or to reduce their status". The prefix "dé-" in French denotes "undoing" or "removal", and "classer" means "to classify" or "to rank". "Déclassé" was first adopted into English in the mid-19th century, being directly borrowed from French.
