fantoccini

American  

[fan-tuh-chee-nee] / ˌfæn təˈtʃi ni /

plural noun

1. puppets or marionettes manipulated by strings, wires, or mechanical devices.

2. puppet shows using these puppets.

---

fantoccini British  

/ ˌfæntəˈtʃiːnɪ /

plural noun

1. marionettes

2. puppet shows in which they are used

---

Etymology

Origin of fantoccini

First recorded in 1770–1780; from Italian, plural of fantoccino, diminutive of fantoccio “doll,” a derivative of fante “child, boy, servant,” by loss of unaccented first syllable from infante, from Latin īnfant-, stem of īnfāns; see origin at infant ( def. )

Example Sentences

Who ever knew the men of the republic shout like so many Italian fantoccini pulled by wires!

From The Wing-and-Wing Le Feu-Follet by Cooper, James Fenimore

It happened that he went with sir Joshua Reynolds and Goldsmith, to see the fantoccini, which were exhibited, some years ago, in or near the Haymarket.

From Dr. Johnson's Works: Life, Poems, and Tales, Volume 1 The Works of Samuel Johnson, Ll.D., in Nine Volumes by Johnson, Samuel

The fantoccini did credit to their machinist, who was skilful at pulling of wires.

From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. I (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Wingfield, Lewis

Sharp unexpected touches evoke humanity in the fantoccini of his wayward art.

From Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece, Second Series by Brown, Horatio Robert Forbes

But to do Mr. Davis justice, he did not make his fantoccini suffer if he pulled the wires the wrong way.

From Four Years in Rebel Capitals An Inside View of Life in the Southern Confederacy from Birth to Death by DeLeon, T. C.