palanquin

/ˌpælənˈkin/

Other forms: palanquins

A palanquin is a covered vehicle without wheels that requires at least four strong people to carry it. Long ago, queens in India were commonly carried around everywhere on palanquins.

Another name for a palanquin is a litter. The palanquins that ancient Indian and Chinese royalty used for long trips were often large enough for sleeping and dining in, and were carried by dozens of people. The English palanquin was adopted from the Portuguese palanquim, which in turn can be traced back to the Sanskrit palyanka, meaning "bed or couch."

Definitions of palanquin

1. noun

   a closed litter carried on the shoulders of four bearers
   synonyms: palankeen

   type of:

   litter

   conveyance consisting of a chair or bed carried on two poles by bearers