palk

Palk is a term used in geography, onomastics, and linguistics. It commonly refers to the Palk Strait, but it also appears as a surname and as a word in South Asian languages.

Palk Strait is a sea strait that lies between the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the island nation of Sri Lanka. It connects the Gulf of Mannar with the Bay of Bengal and serves as part of the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka. The strait is named after Robert Palk, an 18th-century British administrator who governed the Madras Presidency. Within the strait lies Adam’s Bridge, a chain of limestone shoals also known as Rama’s Bridge, which has been discussed in folklore and scientific studies regarding historic land connections between the two lands. The strait is relatively shallow in places and has been a focal point for shipping, fishing, and regional geology.

Palk is also a surname of English origin. As a family name, it has appeared in historical records and in contemporary contexts, though it is not among the most common surnames.

In Hindi and several related languages, palk (पलक) means an eyelid, often referring to the eyelid or eyelashes. The term appears in everyday speech as well as in literature and poetry, and its plural form palkon is used to denote eyelids in general.

Overall, palk denotes several distinct concepts tied to a geographic feature, a family name, and a common noun in South Asian languages, reflecting the diverse etymologies and usages attached to the word.