† ˈpunyship Obs.
Also 6 punie-, 6–7 puni-.
[f. puny + -ship.]
The position, status, or character of a ‘puny’; juniority; inferiority. Also with possessive as a mock title.
| 1581 Mulcaster Positions v. (1887) 32 Reading..must needes acknowledge and confesse her puniship to writing. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe 51 In the punieship or nonage of Cerdicke Sandes, when the best houses and walles there were of mudde. 1624 Bp. R. Montagu Gagg 18 Shall wee believe your Puniship or them? 1680 Hickeringill Refl. Late Libel on Curse-ye-Meroz 5 Undermining other mens good name, lest they should shine to eclipse and benight their twinckling Puny-ships. |