mammet

Alternative forms

• maumet, mawmet, mommet

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman maumet, shortened form of mauhoumet/mahumet, from Mahumet (“Muhammad”). See Muhammad for more.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmamɪt/

Noun

mammet (plural mammets)

1. (obsolete) A false god; an idol. [13th-17th c.]
2. A doll or puppet; a lifeless figure, an effigy, a scarecrow. [from 15th c.]
   • c. 1595, William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 3 scene 5:

     And then to haue a wretched puling foole, / A whining mammet, in her Fortunes tender, / To answer, Ile not wed, I cannot Loue: / I am too young, I pray you pardon me.

   • c. 1597, William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 1, Act 2 scene 3:

     this is no world / To play with mammets and to tilt with lips

   • 1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York 2007, page 49:

     He didn't want to go, and I didn't want him to go; and we stood there like two mommets and there was nothing we could say.