Palanquin
/ˈpæl.ən.kiːn/noun
A covered passenger seat or litter carried on poles by bearers.
Did you know?The word traveled from Sanskrit through South Asian languages and Portuguese before entering English, carrying with it the image of status physically elevated above ordinary people.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
paryaṅka
“A bed, couch, or resting place”
Medieval Indo-Aryan
Hindi
pālkī
“A covered litter or portable seat carried by bearers”
16th Century
Portuguese
palanquim
“A passenger litter used in South Asia”
17th Century
English
palanquin
“A covered chair or litter carried on poles”
Modern English
English
palanquin
“A covered vehicle or seat borne by human carriers”