Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Marionette \Mar`i*o*nette"\, n. [F. marionette, prop. a dim. of
   Marie Mary.]
   1. A puppet moved by strings, as in a puppet show.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The buffel duck.

Source : WordNet®

marionette
     n : a small figure of a person operated from above with strings
         by a puppeteer [syn: {puppet}]