poppet

American  

[pop-it] / ˈpɒp ɪt /

noun

1. Also called poppet valve.  Machinery.  a rising and falling valve consisting of a disk at the end of a vertically set stem, used in internal-combustion and steam engines.

2. British Dialect.  a girl or child (used as a term of endearment).

3. Nautical.  any of the vertical timbers bracing the bow or stern of a vessel about to be launched.

4. poppit.

5. poppethead.

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poppet British  

/ ˈpɒpɪt /

noun

1. a term of affection for a small child or sweetheart

2. Also called: poppet valve.  a mushroom-shaped valve that is lifted from its seating against a spring by applying an axial force to its stem: commonly used as an exhaust or inlet valve in an internal-combustion engine

3. nautical a temporary supporting brace for a vessel hauled on land or in a dry dock

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Etymology

Origin of poppet

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; earlier form of puppet

Example Sentences

Oh, yes: The house’s proprietor is a retired dollmaker, whose magnum opus is the titular, ­demented-looking poppet — one you wouldn’t expect to see on any sane person’s bookshelf, let alone in the toy aisle.

From Washington Post

By the time we reached book four, Goblet of Fire, we were seeing do-gooding Hermione’s Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare formed in response to the bond slavery of these sock-loving poppets.

From The Guardian

Making the difficult transition from Disney poppet to woman with Oscar, Anne Hathaway has managed an impressive grown-up career.

From The Guardian

Let’s wrap those up for you, shall we, poppet?

From Salon

Adolescent pop poppet Justin Bieber constantly Tweets photos of himself with his shirt off to the shrieking delight of his huge online following.

From The Guardian