noun

poppet

A small doll used as a charm.

She keeps a small cloth poppet as a protective charm.

Etymology

The older French word means a small doll. The charm sense preserves that miniature human form when it is used for a magical or ritual purpose.

More examples

  • He stitches dried herbs inside the poppet before sealing it.
  • The museum displays poppets once used in folk magic.
  • She makes a poppet from wax for the ritual.

Forms

poppet · poppets

Similar words

doll
A small human figure, not necessarily used as a charm.
charm
A magical object that need not resemble a person.