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

Neither the rise of Singapore, nor the exploding cities of China and India, would have happened in the same way if they had still relied on punkah fans, shady verandas and afternoon naps.

From The Guardian

So for several days with the punkah swinging over him the convalescent lay stretched out upon his steamer chair, the very picture of comfort and pleasant dreams.

From Project Gutenberg

Look how they make us salaam, and punish us for small faults, and compel us to work punkahs, and to run on foot after their carriages, and insult our gods.

From Project Gutenberg

In one of the rooms was a "punkah," an article of furniture rarely met with in a Chinese household.

From Project Gutenberg

Strangers at first find these artificial currents very apt to superinduce headache, until continued residence makes him regard the punkah as a most necessary article of furniture.

From Project Gutenberg