Definition of puppet

The word "puppet" originated from the medieval Latin term "boudella," which meant "small cow." This term was used to refer to small figure animals stuffed with hay, typically used to instruct children in the Middle Ages on the Church's beliefs and religious practices. The word "puppet" emerged from a similar Old French root "popelard," which came from the Frankish word "pupalgo$-," meaning "small boy." This term referred to a type of wooden doll used as a substitute for real children in religious plays during Christmas festivities. Boismorail, a French puppeteer, coined the modern French term "marionnette," meaning "little Mary," in the 16th century, derived from the figures' frequent depiction as the Virgin Mary. The term moved to English as "marionette," a type of strings-operated puppet popular in Europe. Later, the concept of puppetry spread to other cultures, leading to different types of puppets such as shadow, hand, and glove puppets. The term "puppet" as we know it today refers to any figure manipulated by an individual's hands, strings, or rods. In summary, the origin of the word "puppet" stems from its early use as a religious teaching tool, with its modern form evolving from a combination of origins ranging from medieval Latin, Old French, and Frankish terms.