puisne

American  

[pyoo-nee] / ˈpyu ni /

adjective

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

---

noun

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

puisne British  

/ ˈpjuːnɪ /

adjective

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

---

Etymology

Origin of puisne

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

Example Sentences

Among the measures passed after the change of Ministry was an Act providing that the senior puisne Judge resident in Brisbane should be the senior puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, and discretionary power 180 was given to the Governor in Council with regard to filling the vacancy created on the Supreme Court bench through the acceptance by Sir S. W. Griffith of the more dignified position of Chief Justice of the High Court of the Commonwealth.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1880 he was appointed a puisne judge of the supreme court, and in 1886, on the retirement of Sir William Stawell, he was promoted to the office of chief justice.

From Project Gutenberg

Off the bench the chief alone is entitled to the designation "My Lord," and that address can be properly given to the puisne judges only when they are on the circuit, and then because they are acting under a special royal commission.

From Project Gutenberg

How comes it that in Court the Puisne Judges are addressed by the title of "Lord," whereas the Master of the Rolls, who ranks before them, receives the title of "Your Honor?"

From Project Gutenberg

The supreme court consists of a chief justice and two puisne judges, and has various jurisdictions.

From Project Gutenberg