mar·i·o·nette 
(măr′ē-ə-nĕt)
(măr′ē-ə-nĕt)n.
A jointed puppet manipulated from above by strings or wires attached to its limbs.
[French marionnette, from Old French, musical instrument, diminutive of mariole, the Virgin Mary (influenced by the name Marion), from diminutive of Marie, Mary, from Late Latin Maria; see MARY1.]