noun
- a large fan made of palm leaves or cloth on a rectangular frame suspended from the ceiling, used for cooling by swinging back and forth
Usage: chiefly historical; used in India and other tropical regions
Examples
- The old colonial house still had a punka hanging in the main room.
- Servants would pull the rope to operate the punka during hot afternoons.
- Before electric fans, the punka was essential for comfort in tropical climates.
- The rhythmic swaying of the punka provided relief from the oppressive heat.
- Many British colonial homes featured punkas in their dining rooms.