puny /ˈpjuːni/adjective 6noun 6forms 3 adjective6 •Of inferior significance, size, or strength; ineffective, small, weak.You puny earthlings are no match for Ming the Merciless! •(Southern-US) (Frequently) ill; poorly, sickly. •(no longer used) Inferior in rank; specifically, of a judge: junior.But if you think this Trade to base, / (Which seldom is the Dunce's Case) / Put on the Critick's Brow, and sit / At Wills the puny Judge of Wit. — 1733 •(no longer used) Not experienced; novice. •(no longer used) Coming later in time; secondary, subsequent. •(no longer used) Alternative spelling of puisne. noun6 •Alternative spelling of puisne. •(no longer used) A person who is not experienced; a beginner, a novice.Nay then I see thou'rt but a puny in the subtill Mistery of a woman: […] — 1607 •(no longer used) A new student at a school, university, the Inns of Court, etc.; a junior. •(no longer used) A puisne or junior judge. •(no longer used) An inferior person; a subordinate; also, an insignificant person.[T]hou chuff, thou puny, thou got in the peasestraw thou losel, thou chitterling, thou spawn of a rebel, thou dykedropt, […] — 1922 •(no longer used) A younger person; a junior. formspunies · punier · puniest
