- marionette
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/mar'ee euh net"/, n.a puppet manipulated from above by strings attached to its jointed limbs.
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Puppet figure manipulated from above by strings attached to a wooden cross or control.The figure, also called a string puppet, is usually manipulated by nine strings, attached to each leg, hand, shoulder, and ear and at the base of the spine. Additional strings give more sensitive control of movement, and some marionettes can be made to imitate almost every human and animal action. Early marionettes were controlled by an iron rod instead of strings, a form that survived in Sicily. In the 18th century, marionette operas were extremely popular, and they are still performed today in Salzburg to Mozart's music. See also puppetry.* * *
also called string puppetany of several types of puppet figures manipulated from above by strings or threads attached to a control. In a simple marionette, the strings are attached in nine places: to each leg, hand, shoulder, and ear and at the base of the spine. By adding strings, more sensitive control of movement is achieved. Among European puppets, marionettes are considered the most delicate and difficult to master; some are capable of imitating almost every human and animal action.Although this type of puppet was not fully developed until the mid-19th century, examples of marionettes controlled by an iron rod instead of strings still survive in Sicily and elsewhere. In the 18th century marionette operas, acting out the works of well-known composers, were extremely popular.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
