punkah
English
Etymology
Borrowed from Hindi पंखा (paṅkhā, “fan”), from Sanskrit पक्षक (pakṣaka), from पक्ष (pakṣa, “wing”).
Pronunciation
Noun
punkah (plural punkahs)
- (South Asia) A fan, especially made of leaf or cloth and hung from the ceiling; in the past often operated 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: