fantoccini

plural noun

fan·toc·ci·ni ˌfän-tə-ˈchē-nē

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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Browse Nearby Words

fantigue

fantoccini

fantod

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Fantoccini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantoccini. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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