Puppet (?), n. [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.
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2. A similar figure moved by the hand or by a wire in a mock drama; a marionette; a wooden actor in a play.
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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.
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