punkah
noun
- a fan used especially in India that consists of a canvas-covered frame suspended from the ceiling and that is operated by a cord
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈpʌŋkə/ / /ˈpʌŋkɑː/
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from Hindi पंखा (paṅkhā, “fan”), from Sanskrit पक्षक (pakṣaka), from पक्ष (pakṣa, “wing”).
- A fan, particularly a large fan made of leaf or cloth and hung from the ceiling, (historical) formerly often operated by a servant.
“A punkah is, by some, used instead of a chattah, (or umbrella); but it is very inferior as a defence against either sun, wind, or rain.”
“Outside the court the sun blazed—within was the wind of great punkahs that made you shiver …”