Puisne (adj)
pew-nee
(in the UK and some other countries) denoting a judge of a superior court inferior in rank to chief justices.
Late 16th century (as a noun, denoting a junior or inferior person): from Old French, from puis (from Latin postea ‘afterwards’) + ne ‘born’ (from Latin natus). Compare with puny.
Example sentences
“As a puisne judge I am entitled to disagree with what my colleagues have said, although I would prefer to follow them if I can.”
