puisne

[ pyoo-nee ]

adjective

1. Law. younger; inferior in rank; junior, as in appointment.

noun

1. an associate judge as distinguished from a chief justice.

puisne

/ ˈpjuːnɪ /

adjective

1. (esp of a subordinate judge) of lower rank

Word History and Origins

Origin of puisne¹

1590–1600; < Anglo-French, equivalent to Old French puis after (< Latin posteā ) + ne born, past participle of naistre to be born (< Latin nāscere ); puny

Word History and Origins

Origin of puisne¹

C16: from Anglo-French, from Old French puisné born later, from puis at a later date, from Latin posteā afterwards + né born, from naistre to be born, from Latin nascī

Example Sentences

After a quarter of a century of successful practice he was appointed 1808 a puisne judge of the Supreme Court.

From Project Gutenberg

We must look to quality, and not to weight, for the six puisne judges, as we should call them in the courts.

From Project Gutenberg

Puisne, pū′ne, adj. (law) younger or inferior in rank, applied to certain judges in England.

From Project Gutenberg

After them came the Ricks-Senators in their order, the puisne first.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, it was the robing and unrobing room of the puisne judges, the magistrates, right enough!

From Project Gutenberg