Dictionary

palki en · NOUN

Etymology

From Hindi पालकी (pālkī), from Sanskrit पल्यङ्क (palyaṅka, “bed, couch, litter”) of uncertain origin. Doublet of palanquin.

Meanings

1. (South-Asia, historical) Synonym of palanquin.
   • The pálkí is an oblong box with sliding doors at the side and a pole at each end; it is usually from six to seven feet long, and is carried by four bearers on their shoulders. 1877, D. B. Allen et al., “A Statistical Account of Bengal”, in Districts of Gayá and Sháhábád, volume 12, page 81:
   • At length the daughters of respectable people feared to walk along the roads or on the gháts. If one was seen alone, the devoted Hindustani Durwans followed, calling out "Ma Thakurani," and, preventing them from bathing, brought a palki. Many of those who were not accustomed to travel in a palki seized the opportunity of doing so free of expense. 1884, Miriam S. Knight, The Poison Tree:
   • The music had accompanied her as she was carried, in a palki, from the riverbank to the threshold of her new home […] 2008, Amitav Ghosh, Sea of Poppies, Penguin, published 2015, page 32:
   • There is little doubt that the palki, which was carried by four coolies, is the oldest type of closed, or "bund", gari. They were used principally for zenana purposes, although they were still on hire in the Calcutta Streets as late as 1900... One of the disadvantages attaching to the old palki was that there were so many blinds and movable parts to become loose that the noise and rattle were difficult to prevent. 1931 June, Frank E. Bushby, "Old-Time Conveyances in Calcutta", Bengal Past & Present, Vol. XLI, Nos. 81–82, pp. 138–139
   • At first the uncle declined, but when a palki was sent for them, he and his nephew entered it. 1914, C. A. Kincaid, Deccan Nursery Tales:
   • The wedding party came to a halt at the foot of the tree and some of them lay down to eat and the Raja got out of his palki and lay down to sleep in the shade. 1909, Cecil Henry Bompas, Folklore of the Santal Parganas:

Forms

Relateds

palkigari

Synonyms

palanquin