puisne

adjective

puis·ne ˈpyü-nē

chiefly British

: inferior in rank

puisne judge

puisne noun

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French puisné younger — more at puny

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of puisne was in 1648

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Puisne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puisne. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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