moppet

American  

[mop-it] / ˈmɒp ɪt /

noun

1. a young child.

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moppet British  

/ ˈmɒpɪt /

noun

1. a less common word for poppet

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Etymology

Origin of moppet

1900–05; obsolete mop rag doll, baby ( mop ¹ ) + -et

Explanation

An adorable child can be called a moppet. A sweet moppet sitting behind you on an airplane is completely different from a screaming, kicking kid occupying that seat. Though it's a bit old fashioned, you can use the informal word moppet when you're talking fondly about a child. You might watch a group of moppets learning to skate on an ice rink or enjoy a movie about some adorable moppets who scheme to get their lost dog back. Traditionally, this word usually referred to a girl, and earlier it meant "a doll," from the Middle English moppe, "little child or baby doll."

Example Sentences

At the end, a tiny moppet hugs Amos and thanks him for being hard on them, and he graciously accepts.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2023

The first half of the movie largely centers on the life that Raphaël makes with Juliette as she grows from a curly-head moppet into a bold young adult who’s at once dreamy and pragmatic.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2023

This straw-stuffed moppet, with black eyes reminiscent of a shark's, can be seen at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida — though why anyone would want to is a mystery.

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2021

It is a bit dismaying to see Roman Griffin Davis in here for his moderate child-actor moppet turn in the worryingly overindulged Jojo Rabbit.

From The Guardian • Jan. 3, 2020

Yea, but not that I should be under him—I whom old Giles vowed should be as his own son—I that am to wed yon little brown moppet, and be master here!

From The Armourer's Prentices by Hennessy, W.J.