Puisne Definition
pyo͝onē
adjective
Of lower rank; junior, as in appointment.
Webster's New World
(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.
Wiktionary
noun
One of lesser rank than another, especially an associate judge.
American Heritage
An associate justice as distinguished from chief justice.
Webster's New World
Origin of Puisne
-
Old French puisne puis afterward (ultimately from Latin post apo- in Indo-European roots) ne born (from Latin nātus) (past participle of nāscī to be born genə- in Indo-European roots)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
French puisné, now obsolete form of puîne, contraction of puis (“later") + né (“born"). Related to puny.
From Wiktionary
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