- a variation of punkah.
punka
Britishnoun
Etymology
Origin of punka
C17: from Hindi pankhā, from Sanskrit paksaka fan, from paksa wing
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To and fro the punka flapped; the pulleys creaked and the ropes scraped above the sound of knives and forks and spoons.
From Parrot & Co. by Harold MacGrath
There sat the punka wala nodding, fast asleep, but keeping his arms moving all the time.
From Harper's Young People, August 3, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various
The swinging punka is one of the simplest forms of mechanism; it can be fitted up with the most primitive materials, and however badly made, it will always have some effect.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 595, May 28, 1887 by Various
We shall now proceed to examine several forms of punka, all made to the same size, and, for purposes of comparison, we shall drive them all at the same speed.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 595, May 28, 1887 by Various
There are holes in the wall, and ropes put through the holes, and a man outside on the veranda pulls the ropes, and keeps the punka moving.
From Harper's Young People, August 3, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various
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