PUNKAH Meaning and
Definition
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A punkah is a term primarily used in South Asia to refer to a type of mechanical fan or ventilator, traditionally operated by manual labor. It is composed of a long, narrow canvas or cloth-covered frame, suspended from the ceiling of a room. The punkah is typically controlled by a rope or cord that allows it to oscillate back and forth, creating a cooling breeze throughout the space.
The mechanism of a punkah includes a simple pulley system, which enables a person, known as a "punkah wallah", to manually pull on the cord, causing the fan to swing. This labor-intensive method was commonly employed in homes, offices, and other establishments before the advent of electrically powered fans.
The term "punkah" is derived from the Hindi word "pãnkhā", meaning a "wing" or "fan". Used extensively during the colonial era, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, punkahs became an iconic symbol of the region's architectural heritage and were often found in grand buildings, such as palaces or British Raj government offices.
Despite the decline in usage due to the widespread availability of electric fans and air conditioning, punkahs can still be observed as decorative or historical pieces in some lavish hotels or heritage properties, showcasing their historical significance and cultural charm.
Common Misspellings for PUNKAH
- ounkah
- lunkah
- -unkah
- 0unkah
- pynkah
- phnkah
- pjnkah
- pinkah
- p8nkah
- p7nkah
- pubkah
- pumkah
- pujkah
- puhkah
- punmah
- punlah
- punoah
- punkzh
- punkwh
- tunkah
Etymology of PUNKAH
The word "punkah" has its origins in the Hindi language. It is derived from the Hindi word "pakhāṁ", which means "a fan" or "a wing". The term was brought into English during the British colonial period in India to describe the large, suspended fans that were manually operated to provide a cooling breeze in hot climates. Over time, the word "punkah" became widely adopted in English for this particular type of fan.
Similar spelling words for PUNKAH
- pinky,
- Warping-bank,
- bewing,
- being,
- lavender-pink,
- BOENYC,
- bionic,
- Hankey-pankey,
- Double-bank,
- Banco,
- pink-lavender,
- bang,
- Fog-bank,
- PANK,
- well-being,
- panic,
- reddish-pink,
- punkey,
- pink-purple,
- panic-stricken,
- punky,
- pangaea,
- bannock,
- BOEING,
- BNC,
- buying,
- pinkeye,
- Pink-eyed,
- pink-tinged,
- BNKW,
- pink-red,
- PANK2,
- punk,
- bankia,
- Bianca,
- pink-collar,
- Bangue,
- pongo,
- gray-pink,
- bunco,
- Penk,
- ponca,
- PINCCA,
- BNKU,
- Earth-bank,
- BGNG,
- bunky,
- Byanca,
- deep-pink,
- Baying,
- paying,
- ping,
- PPENK,
- Bianco,
- Bank-sided,
- Bank-agent,
- Chars-a-banc,
- PBNAC,
- Pink-Root,
- non-paying,
- Poonac,
- pa'anga,
- Char-a-banc,
- ping-pong,
- BOING,
- Pennach,
- pink,
- bingo,
- Baaing,
- PENG,
- BEANQ,
- violet-pink,
- scarlet-pink,
- bowing,
- BENG,
- BNK,
- Bungo,
- BENQ,
- WPNK,
- paiwanic,
- BYNQE,
- PINK1,
- pinko,
- slap-bang,
- BONAC,
- bang-bang,
- punks,
- Pawing,
- bang-up,
- BNC-T,
- Slam-bang,
- Beneckea,
- lilac-pink,
- water-pang,
- Binky,
- bung-hole,
- Puing,
- mauve-pink,
- chessil-bank,
- Pink-sterned,
- Penock,
- grey-pink,
- Pinnock,
- PINCO,
- ill-being,
- bung,
- BNOC,
- pinkie,
- Bank-credit,
- pink-tipped,
- bonk,
- pink-slipped,
- Punka,
- Ponghee,
- punkie,
- bongo,
- pang,
- booyong,
- bangui,
- white-pink,
- Banneck,
- Buoying,
- BNCKY,
- bank-stock,
- Beonca,
- Bannoch,
- greyish-pink,
- booing,
- ponka,
- panic-struck,
- pengo,
- panga,
- Bing,
- Pinic,
- Banc,
- Bionca,
- BUENG,
- bhang,
- peeing,
- HPNK,
- Pungy,
- pung,
- pink-orange,
- BOINC,
- boeing-boeing,
- bank,
- pong,
- bunko,
- Bianka,
- BNG,
- panicky,
- Beyonca,
- pewing,
- grayish-pink,
- Pink-needle,
- Bink,
- pink-saucer,
- Pieing,
- bunk,
- punica,
- punch,
- punic.
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