puny etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English pune ("small, weak, worthless")
  • Proto-Germanic punjaz
  • Proto-Indo-European root *peu- ("small")

Meaning:

  • Extremely small or insignificant in size, amount, or importance
  • Weak, feeble, or insignificant
  • Contemptible or worthless

Origin:

The word "puny" came into use in English in the late 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word pune, which meant "small, weak, or worthless." This word, in turn, is thought to be derived from the Proto-Germanic punjaz, which also had the meaning of "small."

The Proto-Germanic word punjaz is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root peu-, which meant "small." This root is found in many words across various Indo-European languages, including the Latin word *pusillus ("small") and the Greek word pauros ("few").

Over time, the meaning of "puny" evolved to include not only physical smallness but also weakness, insignificance, and contemptibility. The word is now used to describe people, things, or ideas that are of little value or importance.

puny relate terms

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  • puny

    Etymology Old English pune small weak worthless Proto Germanic punjaz Proto Indo

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  • cognate

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  • congener

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  • congenial

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  • connate

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  • cosmogony

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  • cryogenic

  • engender

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  • engine

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  • epigone

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  • gender

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  • gene

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  • genealogy

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  • general

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  • generate

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  • generation

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  • generic

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  • generous

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  • genesis

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  • genial

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  • genitive

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  • genius

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  • genotype

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  • genre

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  • gens

    Etymology 1 Gens Latin Root genos Greek family kin Related to Sanskrit ja

  • gent

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  • genteel

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  • gentile

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  • gentle

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  • gentry

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  • genuine

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  • genus

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  • germ

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  • germane

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  • germinal

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  • germinate

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  • germination

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  • gingerly

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  • heterogeneous

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  • homogeneous

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  • homogenize

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  • homogenous

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  • indigenous

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  • ingenious

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  • innate

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  • jaunty

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  • kindred

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  • king

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  • kind

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  • malign

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  • miscegenation

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  • nascent

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  • natal

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  • nation

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  • native

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  • nature

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  • neonate

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  • Noel

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  • oncogene

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  • ontogeny

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  • phylogeny

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  • pregnant

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  • primogenitor

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  • primogeniture

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  • progenitor

    Etymology Latin progenitor ancestor forefather Meaning A person or thing from w

  • progeny

    Etymology Progeny comes from the Latin word progenies which means descendants offsp

  • puisne

    Etymology Old French puisné Latin post natus born afterwards Meaning Younge

  • puny

    Etymology Old English pune small weak worthless Proto Germanic punjaz Proto Indo

  • Renaissance

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  • theogony

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  • wunderkind

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  • shrimp

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  • America

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  • post

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  • inimical

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  • consequence

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