marionette
UK[ˌmær.i.əˈnet]US[ˌmer.i.əˈnet]
n
a puppet whose limbs are moved by strings or wires.
n
a person or organization whose actions are controlled by another.
Morpheme Breakdown
marion
ette
marion
sense
ette
sense
Etymology
the word 'marionette' entered english from french in the early 17th century. its french form derived from the old french 'marion', a diminutive of the name 'marie' (mary), which was used in medieval french for a type of small figure of the virgin mary. the suffix '-ette', also of french origin, is a common diminutive, reinforcing the meaning of 'small'. the term originally referred to small figures in religious plays, but its meaning generalized to any puppet operated by strings, reflecting the object's small, controlled, and often human-like form.
Analysis
Structure: marion (sense) + ette (sense)
marion (french, diminutive of the name marie, meaning 'little mary'); ette (french, diminutive suffix, meaning 'small').
Examples
the puppeteer skillfully manipulated the marionette to make it dance.
the corrupt official was merely a marionette for the powerful crime syndicate.
the intricate marionette show captivated both children and adults.