PUISNE

Etymology

Adjective

puisne (comparative more puisne, superlative most puisne)

(obsolete) Younger; junior. [16th–19th c.]

(obsolete) Insignificant, petty; ineffectual. [16th–19th c.]

(legal) Inferior in rank, as designation of any justice, judge etc. other than the most senior. [from 17th c.]

(now, legal) Coming later in time; subsequent, secondary. [from 17th c.]

Usage notes

• The legal term is now used almost exclusively in common law jurisdictions such as England, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, and formerly in Hong Kong. The equivalent term in the United States is associate justice.

Anagrams

• punies, supine

Source: Wiktionary

Puis"ne (pu"ny), a. Etym: [See Puny.]

1. Later in age, time, etc.; subsequent. [Obs.] " A puisne date to eternity." Sir M. Hale.

2. Puny; petty; unskilled. [Obs.]

3. (Law)

Definition: Younger or inferior in rank; junior; associate; as, a chief justice and three puisne justices of the Court of Common Pleas; the puisne barons of the Court of Exchequer. Blackstone.

Puis"ne, n.

Definition: One who is younger, or of inferior rank; a junior; esp., a judge of inferior rank. It were not a work for puisnes and novices. Bp. Hall.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition