Puisne
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈpjuË.ni/
Origin
French puisné, now obsolete form of puîne, contraction of puis ("later") + né ("born"). Related to puny.
Full definition of puisne
Adjective
puisne
- (legal) 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
- (obsolete) Later in age, time, etc.; subsequent.
- Sir M. Halea puisne date to eternity
- (obsolete) Puny; petty; unskilled.
Usage notes
The term is used almost exclusively in common law jurisdictions such as England, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, and formerly in Hong Kong. The equivalent term in the United States is associate justice.