The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Puppet \Pup"pet\, n. [OE. popet, OF. poupette; akin to F.
   poup['e]e a doll, probably from L. puppa, pupa, a girl, doll,
   puppet. Cf. Poupeton, Pupa, Pupil, Puppy.] [Written
   also poppet.]
   1. A small image in the human form; a doll.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A similar figure moved by the hand or by a wire in a mock
      drama; a marionette; a wooden actor in a play.
      [1913 Webster]

            At the pipes of some carved organ move,
            The gilded puppets dance.             --Pope.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. One controlled in his action by the will of another; a
      tool; -- so used in contempt. --Sir W. Scott.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Mach.) The upright support for the bearing of the spindle
      in a lathe.
      [1913 Webster]

   Puppet master. Same as Puppetman.

   Puppet play, a puppet show.

   Puppet player, one who manages the motions of puppets.

   Puppet show, a mock drama performed by puppets moved by
      wires.

   Puppet valve, a valve in the form of a circular disk, which
      covers a hole in its seat, and opens by moving bodily away
      from the seat while remaining parallel with it, -- used in
      steam engines, pumps, safety valves, etc. Its edge is
      often beveled, and fits in a conical recess in the seat
      when the valve is closed. See the valves shown in Illusts.
      of Plunger pump, and Safety valve, under Plunger,
      and Safety.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

puppet
    n 1: a small figure of a person operated from above with strings
         by a puppeteer [syn: puppet, marionette]
    2: a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform
       unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else [syn:
       creature, tool, puppet]
    3: a doll with a hollow head of a person or animal and a cloth
       body; intended to fit over the hand and be manipulated with
       the fingers