punkah

or pun·ka

[ puhng-kuh ]

noun

1. (especially in India) a fan, especially a large, swinging, screenlike fan hung from the ceiling and moved by a servant or by machinery.

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, used on, or working a punkah:

   punkah ropes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of punkah¹

First recorded in 1615–25, punkah is from the Hindi word paṅkhā

Example Sentences

During meal-times, a large punkah is employed to diffuse an agreeable degree of coolness through the apartment.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the private soldier Page 410in Singapore has a punkah pulled over his bed at night.

From Project Gutenberg

The carpenter has rigged up a punkah, and the men have improvised some double awnings.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of the exertions of the punkah coolie, the billiard-room of the Occidental Hotel was like the furnace-doors of Sheol.

From Project Gutenberg

Inside, the droning whine of the punkah mocks him throughout the weary day, as it scarcely stirs the heated air.

From Project Gutenberg