punkah
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Hindi pańkhā ‘fan’, from Sanskrit पकशक pakśaka, from पकश pakśa ‘wing’.
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
punkah (plural punkahs)
- A type of large fan, common on the Indian subcontinent, especially made from a leaf or from cloth, typically hung from the ceiling, designed to cool a room, often operated manually by a servant.
- 1973, Patrick O'Brian, HMS Surprise:
- Perhaps it was a mistake to invite Mr Stanhope; the day was intolerably hot and humid; all he wanted to do was to lie on his bed with a punkah sighing over him, at least moving the unbreathable air.
- 1973, Patrick O'Brian, HMS Surprise:
