The word "glove puppet" is spelled with the phonetic sounds /ɡlʌv/ and /ˈpʌpɪt/. The first syllable "glove" is pronounced with a hard "g" sound followed by the short u sound and the v sound. The second syllable "puppet" is pronounced with a short u sound, a double p sound, and the vowel sound /ɪ/ in the final syllable. This word refers to a puppet that is worn on the hand like a glove and is a common type of puppet used in puppetry performances around the world.
A glove puppet is a type of puppet that is manipulated and controlled by wearing it on the hand, typically by placing the hand inside the puppet. It is called a glove puppet as it resembles a glove, with an opening at the base that allows the hand and fingers to move while controlling the puppet. This type of puppetry is also known as hand puppetry.
Glove puppets are typically made of fabric or soft material, such as felt or thin foam, and are often designed to resemble animals, fantasy creatures, or human characters. They usually have features like painted or sewn-on eyes, a mouth that can open and close, and sometimes even movable limbs.
The puppeteer inserts their hand into the base of the glove puppet and controls its movements by moving their fingers inside the puppet. By bending or extending their fingers, the puppeteer can make the puppet's head turn, its mouth open and close, and its limbs move. The puppeteer's hand becomes the puppet's body, while their fingers bring the puppet to life.
Glove puppets are widely used in various forms of entertainment, including puppet shows, theater performances, television programs, and educational presentations. Their simplicity and versatility make them popular among puppeteers and entertaining for audiences of all ages. Additionally, glove puppets provide a tactile and interactive experience as the puppeteer can directly engage with the characters they are portraying.
The term "glove puppet" is derived from the Middle English word "glove" and the Latin word "pupa".
The word "glove" comes from the Old English word "glof" or "glofa", which originally referred to a covering for the hand. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "glofi" or "glofa", which had a similar meaning.
The term "puppet" comes from the Latin word "pupa", which means "doll" or "little girl". The word "pupa" was used to refer to a range of small figures utilized in various forms of entertainment, including marionettes and hand puppets.
When combined, the term "glove puppet" essentially refers to a puppet that is operated by a hand inside a glove-like covering, with the puppet's head and limbs manipulated using the fingers.