puppet

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
  2. noun a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else
  3. noun a doll with a hollow head of a person or animal and a cloth body; intended to fit over the hand and be manipulated with the fingers

Etymology

From Middle English popet, probably from, though attested earlier than, Middle French poupette, diminutive of poupée (cf. also Medieval Latin *pupata), ultimately derived from Latin pupa (“doll, puppet; girl”). The nominal form first appears c. 1531, and the verbal form c. 1635. See also puppy.

In classic literature

Synonyms

marionette

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