puisne

Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • adjective Lower in rank; junior.
  • noun One of lesser rank than another, especially an associate judge.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • adjective Later in age, time, etc.; subsequent.
  • adjective Puny; petty; unskilled.

Examples

  • To him no doubt more than one puisne judge, suffragan bishop, member of parliament, or cabinet minister today owe their careers, and each and every one of their youthful peccadilloes went with Arthur to his grave, which, incidentally, is under a pretty gum tree on the southeast side of the Bulpadock.

    The Earth Goddess

  • After being a supernumerary for twelve years, M. Popinot would no doubt die a puisne judge of the Court of the Seine.

    The Commission in Lunacy

  • I have a large, though by no means a perfect collection of legal portraits, and there is not one puisne judge or baron so distinguished.

    Notes and Queries, Number 41, August 10, 1850

  • The chief and puisne judges are raised to their situations from amongst the class which includes the white men and planters.

    The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus

  • The three first children with whom Lady Wringham presented her husband, were, much to his disappointment, all girls: at length, a puisne boy made his appearance.

    Romance Readers and Romance Writers: a Satirical Novel

Note

The word 'puisne' comes from an Anglo-Norman or Middle French word meaning 'younger'.