See Also: poppet(dictionary)
poppet(dictionary)

poppet (iou)



poppet noun. ME.
[Origin uncertain: based ult. on Latin pupa, puppa girl, doll: cf. PUPPET (its later var.), -ET1.]
a. Chiefly Hist. A small human figure, used in sorcery or witchcraft. ME.
b. A small figure in the form of human being, esp. a child; a doll; = PUPPET noun 1a. Now rare. LME.
c. An idolatrous image; an idol; = PUPPET noun 1b. M16-L17.
A small or dainty person. Later, a term of endearment, esp. for a pretty child or young girl: darling, pet. colloq. LME.
M. R. Mitford The little girl..a curly-headed, rosy-cheeked poppet,..the pet and plaything of a large family. E. H. Clements Cheer up, poppet, it's going to be all right.
a. A person whose actions appear to be independent, but are actually controlled by another; = PUPPET noun 2b. M16-E17.
b. A human or other figure with jointed limbs, which can be moved by means of strings or wires; a marionette. Cf. PUPPET noun 2a. L16-M18.
a. Either of the upright stocks of a lathe, esp. an adjustable one; a lathe-head; = PUPPET noun 5. Now rare. M17.
b. = poppet-valve below. L19.
A cylindrical case for pins and needles, pencils, etc. obsolete exc. dial. M19.
Nautical. Any of several short stout pieces of wood placed beneath a ship's hull to support it in launching. Also, a short piece of wood used as a support on the gunwale of a boat with rowlocks. M19.
Comb.: poppet-head (a) (now rare) = sense 4a above; (b) a frame at the top of a mining-shaft, supporting the pulleys for the ropes used in hoisting; poppet-leg Austral. an upright timber at the mouth of a mine shaft, supporting the piece from which the cage is suspended; poppet-valve a valve consisting of a flat end-piece which is lifted in and out of an opening by an axial rod; poppet-valved adjective having one or more poppet-valves.