Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. 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.) 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}.