marionette

mar·i·o·nette

noun \ˌmer-ē-ə-ˈnet\

Definition of MARIONETTE

: a small-scale usually wooden figure (as of a person) with jointed limbs that is moved from above by manipulation of the attached strings or wires

Origin of MARIONETTE

French marionnette, from Middle French maryonete, from Marion, diminutive of Marie Mary

First Known Use: circa 1620

Rhymes with MARIONETTE

analphabet, bachelorette, drum majorette, electrojet, Hospitalet, microcassette, micropipette, mosquito net, musique concrète, photo-offset, Russian roulette, snowy egret, solution set, videlicet, working asset

marionette

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Puppet figure manipulated from above by strings attached to a wooden cross or control. The figure, also called a string puppet, is usually manipulated by nine strings, attached to each leg, hand, shoulder, and ear and at the base of the spine. Additional strings give more sensitive control of movement, and some marionettes can be made to imitate almost every human and animal action. Early marionettes were controlled by an iron rod instead of strings, a form that survived in Sicily. In the 18th century, marionette operas were extremely popular, and they are still performed today in Salzburg to Mozart's music. See also puppetry.