/ ˈpʌpɪt; NAmE / noun
1.
a model of a person or an animal that can be made to move, for example by pulling strings attached to parts of its body or by putting your hand inside it. A puppet with strings is also called a marionette :
a hand puppet
a puppet show
—see also glove puppet
2.
(usually disapproving ) a person or group whose actions are controlled by another :
The occupying forces set up a puppet government .
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (denoting a doll): later form of poppet , generally having a more unfavourable connotation.