from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Puppet \Pup"pet\, n. [OE. popet, OF. poupette; akin to F.
poup['e]e 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. A similar figure moved by the hand or by a wire in a mock
drama; a marionette; a wooden actor in a play.
[1913 Webster]
At the pipes of some carved organ move,
The gilded puppets dance. --Pope.
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3. One controlled in his action by the will of another; a
tool; -- so used in contempt. --Sir W. Scott.
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4. (Mach.) The upright support for the bearing of the spindle
in a lathe.
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{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}.
[1913 Webster]