"White" functions as both a historical descriptor for light skin color and a modern racial classification, most commonly applied to people of European origin, though its precise definition varies by context. Ancient societies, such as the Greco-Romans, occasionally noted light skin but lacked any concept of a "White race" or pan-European identity; indeed, pale skin could even be considered a sign of weakness. The racialized understanding of a "unified White people" truly entered major European languages in the late 17th century. This concept gained acceptance within the context of race-based slavery and social hierarchies in European colonies. Prior to this modern era, Europeans primarily defined themselves by religion, ancestry, or nationality rather than "Whiteness." Today, while acknowledging human biological variation, contemporary anthropologists widely regard the concept of a distinct "White race" as a social construct with no scientific basis.