punkah

noun

pun·kah ˈpəŋ-kə

: a fan used especially in India that consists of a canvas-covered frame suspended from the ceiling and that is operated by a cord

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu pãkhā

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of punkah was in 1790

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Punkah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punkah. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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