Marionette

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -É›t

Origin

French marionnette. One of the first figures to be made into a marionette was the Virgin Mary, hence the name.

Full definition of marionette

Noun

1. A string puppet, usually made of wood, which is animated by the pulling of strings.
• 1885 — Gilbert and Sullivan, If you think we are worked by strings,Like a Japanese marionette,You don't understand these things:It is simply Court etiquette.
2. (zoology) The buffel duck.

Derived terms

• marionettist

Verb

1. (transitive) To control (somebody) as if they were a puppet; to manipulate.