puisne

See also: puisné

English

Etymology

(deprecated template usage) [etyl] French puisné, now obsolete form of puîné, contraction of puis (“later”) + né (“born”). Related to puny.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpjuː.ni/

Adjective

puisne (not comparable)

1. (law) Inferior in rank. A puisne justice of a court is a judge other than the chief justice.

   the puisne barons of the Court of Exchequer

2. (obsolete) Later in age, time, etc.; subsequent.
   • (Can we date this quote by Sir M. Hale and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     a puisne date to eternity

3. (obsolete) Puny; petty; unskilled.

Usage notes

• The term is 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