This country consisted initially of several British colonies. The classes didn't change their stripes just because they moved here.
Then, there was slavery. Yup ~ call it what you want, but that was a LEGALLY ESTABLISHED CASTE.
Webster's is not an authority with permanent binding power ~ it's just a list of words and suggested definitions.
Users of words adjust working definitions to fit conditions. No dictionary can hold back the power of the marketplace.
Sorry- one does not have to stoop- If am nuts then in 1887 Webster was also nuts coz he wrote the definition of “middle class” on p.532 as a social term used in ENGLAND, not the USA..