grade · rank · status

For a long time, society was strongly hierarchical and unequal, primarily composed of peasants. The most backward, impoverished segment of the population, they were crushed by the weight of taxes, wars, and famines.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

The security level, as established by the Department of Homeland Security, is orange.

Tom did the best he could, but he wasn't able to get a higher grade than Mary.