punka

British  

/ ˈpʌŋkə /

noun

1. a fan made of a palm leaf or leaves

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Etymology

Origin of punka

C17: from Hindi pankhā, from Sanskrit paksaka fan, from paksa wing

Example Sentences

In the grasses, in the trees, deep in the calix of punka flower and magnolia bloom, the gnats, the caterpillars, the beetles, all the microscopic, multitudinous life of the daytime drowsed and dozed.

From The Octopus : A story of California by Norris, Frank

Within five minutes the swinging of the punka and the squeaking of the rope resumed, but regularly this time; Mahommed Gunga had apparently unearthed a man who understood the business.

From Rung Ho! by Mundy, Talbot

The limit of movement of a punka is to be found in the man who pulls it.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 595, May 28, 1887 by Various

The punka will at least give us a breath of fresh air.

From Parrot & Co. by MacGrath, Harold

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