guignol

noun

gui·​gnol
gēnˈyȯl,
-yōl
plural -s
sometimes capitalized
1
: puppet
especially : hand puppet compare marionette
2
: puppet show
3
: a theatrical production featuring melodramatic tension, horror, and shock

Word History

Etymology

French, probably after Guignol, reputed name of a silkworker of Lyons and character of the puppet theater which Laurent Mourquet installed there for the earliest performance (in 1795) of French puppet shows

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Dictionary Entries Near guignol

Guignet's green

guignol

guignolet

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Guignol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guignol. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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