PUPPET

puppet

(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

puppet, marionette

(noun) a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer

creature, tool, puppet

(noun) a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

puppet (plural puppets)

Any small model of a person or animal able to be moved by strings or rods, or in the form of a glove.

(figuratively) A person, country, etc, controlled by another.

(obsolete) A poppet; a small image in the human form; a doll.

(engineering) The upright support for the bearing of the spindle in a lathe.

Source: Wiktionary

Pup"pet, n. Etym: [OE. popet, OF. poupette; akin to F. poupée a doll, probably from L. puppa, pupa, a girl, doll, puppet. Cf. Poupeton, Pupa, Pupil, Puppy.] [Written also poppet.]

1. A small image in the human form; a doll.

2. A similar figure moved by the hand or by a wire in a mock drama; a marionette; a wooden actor in a play. At the pipes of some carved organ move, The gilded puppets dance. Pope.

3. One controlled in his action by the will of another; a tool; -- so used in contempt. Sir W. Scott.

4. (Mach.)

Definition: The upright support for the bearing of the spindle in a lathe. Puppet master. Same as Puppetman.

– Puppet play, a puppet show.

– Puppet player, one who manages the motions of puppets.

– Puppet show, a mock drama performed by puppets moved by wires.

– Puppet valve, a valve in the form of a circular disk, which covers a hole in its seat, and opens by moving bodily away from the seat while remaining parallel with it, -- used in steam engines, pumps, safety valves, etc. Its edge is often beveled, and fits in a conical recess in the seat when the valve is closed. See the valves shown in Illusts. of Plunger pump, and Safety valve, under Plunger, and Safety.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition