What does "puppet" mean?

1. (movable model) a small figure of a person or animal that you move using strings, sticks, or your hand. 2. (controlled person or group) a person, group, or country that is controlled by a more powerful person or group. 3. (lathe support) a part of a machine called a lathe that holds a spinning piece of wood or metal. 4. (to control someone) to control or move someone as if they were a puppet.

puppet

n. · v.

US //ˈpəpət// UK //pˈʌpɪt// pup·pet

1 movable model (n.)
A2 Elementary Theatre

a small figure of a person or animal that you move using strings, sticks, or your hand.

a small-scale figure representing a human or animal, manipulated by strings, rods, or the hand of a performer.

Example

The children laughed as the puppet danced across the stage on its strings.

Example

The master puppeteer spent months carving the wooden joints to ensure the puppet moved with lifelike fluidity during the performance.
- marionette
- dummy
2 controlled person or group (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a person, group, or country that is controlled by a more powerful person or group.

a person, organisation, or state that is ostensibly independent but actually controlled by an external authority.

Example

The king was just a puppet, and his advisors made all the real decisions.

Example

Historians argue that the local administration was merely a puppet of the occupying forces, lacking any genuine legislative autonomy.
- leader
- sovereign

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3 lathe support (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

a part of a machine called a lathe that holds a spinning piece of wood or metal.

an upright support for the bearing of the spindle in a lathe.

Example

The engineer adjusted the puppet on the lathe to keep the metal rod steady.

Example

Precision in the alignment of the puppet is essential for maintaining the concentricity of the workpiece during high-speed rotation.
- support
- mount
4 to control someone (v.)
C1 Advanced Literary

to control or move someone as if they were a puppet.

to manipulate or control a person or entity in a deceptive or hidden manner.

Example

He felt that his manager was trying to puppet his every move at work.

Example

The shadowy organisation attempted to puppet the election results by funding several rival candidates simultaneously.
- manipulate
- pull the strings

Origin

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.