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

See Examples For:

moppet

The girl herself has been a vampire for 10 years rather than hundreds, and the boy is an unbearably cute moppet who does magic tricks.

From New York Times ● Oct. 7, 2022

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

The comic-strip moppet plays pranks on Mr. Wilson, the crotchety fellow who lives next door.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2019

For the most part, he remained consumed by the red-haired moppet who launched him to national prominence.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 7, 2019

I had a little moppet, I put it in my pocket, And fed it with corn and hay; Then came a proud beggar, And swore he would have her, And stole little moppet away.

From The Nursery Rhymes of England by Various