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 ( see 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

The illustration for The Story of Miss Moppet features instructions from the author on how it was to be reduced for the title-page illustration.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2016

The sale also includes an illustration Potter did for a Christmas card, and an original watercolour design for The Story of Miss Moppet.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2016

Biologist and author Rachel Carson at home with pet cat Moppet on 24 September 1962.

From The Guardian • Sep. 27, 2012

At 16, Benjy could have passed for one time Screen Moppet Freddie Bartholomew.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Let us climb up the rockery, and sit on the garden wall," said Moppet.

From The Tale of Tom Kitten by Potter, Beatrix