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Definition of puniness - 2 dictionary results

pu⋅ny

  [pyoo-nee]
Use puniness in a Sentence
–adjective, -ni⋅er, -ni⋅est.
1. of less than normal size and strength; weak.
2. unimportant; insignificant; petty or minor: a puny excuse.
3. Obsolete. puisne.
Origin:
1540–50; sp. var. of puisne

Related forms:
pu⋅ni⋅ly, adverb
pu⋅ni⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To puniness
pu·ny   (pyōō'nē)   
adj.   pu·ni·er, pu·ni·est

  1. Of inferior size, strength, or significance; weak: a puny physique; puny excuses.

  2. Chiefly Southern U.S. Sickly; ill.


[Variant of puisne.]
pu'ni·ly adv., pu'ni·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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