Definition of "Muppet"

Muppet¹

noun
countable and uncountable, plural Muppets
1. A term of endearment, used with a young girl
  Quotations
  "Mamma, I see Mr. Joshua Parker coming up the road in his gray hat with the black band," announced the daughter emphatically, craning her neck to see over the evergreens. “Do you, Muppet? Then he is coming to call at the rectory; for he never wears his hat except when he is going to make a call, — and there is nowhere to call at but here."
  1858, The National Magazine - Volumes 3-4, page 257
  “I thought we were pretty happy the way we were,” Aunt Holly said, ruffling Jamie's hair. “I'm happy. Aren't you, Muppet?“
  1997, Across the Rainbow, page 14
  You know my little Muppet, Abby may not be able to find out if there is anything untoward going on at the institute, but I sure can.
  2016, Bryan Whelan, The Boson Experiment and Earths End

Muppet²

noun
plural Muppets
1. A type of puppet created by Jim Henson or his studio, typically operated with one hand of the puppeteer inside the head and a rod or glove to move one arm of the puppet.
2. One of a group of established puppet characters acting as a sort of repertory company on The Muppet Show, and/or appearing on Sesame Street.
3. (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Eastern US, South Africa, slang, derogatory) Alternative form of muppet (fool).
  Quotations
  'I'll come, if you like,' Paul says. 'I'm not asking you, Muppet,' Kit snaps.
  2008, Cathy Cassidy, Driftwood
  English version: I'm A Cockney Geezer, You Muppet. No, you are an upper middle class, public school educated wanker (it takes one to know one) and I feel I must apologize to everyone on behalf of the land of my birth for the many crimes to cinema committed in the wake of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998).
  2011, Julian Hoxter, Write What You Don't Know, page 45
  She tilts her head towards him, and whispers in his ear, “Of course I do, you Muppet. I keep telling you to trust The Source and our guides; don't I?"
  2013, Guy Dance, Soul Brigade: The Mission of Light, page 245
  What's your fucking name you Muppet? I won't ask you again.
  2018, Peter D. Bull, Undercover, page 13
  Not that kind of atmosphere, you Muppet. A cut it with a knife atmosphere.
  2021, Margaret de Rohan, The Icarus Affair