PUNY

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

Etymology

Adjective

puny (comparative punier, superlative puniest)

Of inferior size, strength or significance; small, weak, ineffective.

Synonyms

• See also scrawny

Noun

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.

Synonyms

• (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