puny, runty, shrimpy
(adjective) (used especially of persons) of inferior size
puny
(adjective) inferior in strength or significance; “a puny physique”; “puny excuses”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
puny (comparative punier, superlative puniest)
Of inferior size, strength or significance; small, weak, ineffective.
• See also scrawny
puny (plural punies)
(obsolete, Oxford University slang) A new pupil at a school etc.; a junior student.
(obsolete) A younger person.
(obsolete) A beginner, a novice.
(archaic) An inferior person; a subordinate.
• (new pupil): fresher, freshman, new bug, novi (Tonbridge School), shadow (Westminster School)
• (beginner): newb, rookie, tenderfoot; see also beginner
• (subordinate): junior, underling, vassal
Source: Wiktionary
Pu"ny, a. [Compar. Punier; superl. Puniest.] Etym: [F. puîté younger, later born, OF. puisné; puis afterwards (L. post; see Post-) + né born, L. natus. See Natal, and cf. Puisne.]
Definition: Imperfectly developed in size or vigor; small and feeble; inferior; petty. A puny subject strikes at thy great glory. Shak. Breezes laugh to scorn our puny speed. Keble.
Pu"ny, n.
Definition: A youth; a novice. [R.] Fuller.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
9 June 2025
(noun) one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
