palanquin

or pal·an·keen

[ pal-uhn-keen ]

noun

1. (formerly in India and other Eastern countries) a passenger conveyance, usually for one person, consisting of a covered or boxlike litter carried by means of poles resting on the shoulders of several men.

palanquin

/ ˌpælənˈkiːn /

noun

1. a covered litter, formerly used in the Orient, carried on the shoulders of four men

Other Words From

• palan·quiner palan·keener noun
• palan·quining·ly palan·keening·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of palanquin¹

1580–90; < Middle French < Dutch pallankin < Portuguese palanquim ≪ Pali pallaṅka, Sanskrit palyaṅka; compare Oriya pālaṅki

Word History and Origins

Origin of palanquin¹

C16: from Portuguese palanquim, from Prakrit pallanka, from Sanskrit paryanka couch

Example Sentences

The slim figure was carried by four bearers on a palanquin, while the company’s actors animated its arms and billowing skirts from the sides.

From New York Times

The slim figure was carried by four bearers on a palanquin, while the company’s actors animated its arms and billowing skirts from the sides.

From New York Times

During the dozen and a half times each year they do go out, for rituals or during Nepali Hindus’ festival season, they must be carried, either in a palanquin or in someone’s arms.

From New York Times

Ms Kuckreja, who set up Vanangana, a charity that has been working with battered women for a quarter of a century in in northern India's Bundelkhand - one of the poorest regions in the country - says a popular piece of advice given to new brides translates to "you are entering your marital home in a palanquin, you must only leave on your funeral bier".

From BBC

Towards the other end of the painting, his cavalry is attacking Company forces on both sides as they form a square around an injured Bailie, who is in a palanquin.

From BBC

Related Words

• rickshaw
• truck
• wagon