fantoccini

plural noun

fan·​toc·​ci·​ni ˌfän-tə-ˈchē-nē How to pronounce fantoccini (audio)
ˌfan-
: a puppet show using puppets operated by strings or mechanical devices
also : such puppets

Word History

Etymology

Italian, plural of fantoccino, diminutive of fantoccio doll, augmentative of fante child, from Latin infant-, infans infant

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fantoccini was in 1771

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Cite this Entry

“Fantoccini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantoccini. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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