1. of lower rank; junior in position or authority
Usage: legal; formal

Examples

• The puisne judges deferred to the chief justice’s opinion.
• As a puisne member of the court, she had limited administrative duties.
• The puisne justices were appointed after the chief justice.
• He served as a puisne judge for ten years before his promotion.
• The court consisted of one chief justice and several puisne judges.
• Puisne judges typically handle routine cases and appeals.