Feeble vs Puny - What's the difference?

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between feeble and puny

is that feeble is (obsolete) to make feeble; to enfeeble while puny is (obsolete) a beginner, a novice.

As adjectives the difference between feeble and puny

is that feeble is deficient in physical strength; weak; infirm; debilitated while puny is of inferior size, strength or significance.

As a verb feeble

is (obsolete) to make feeble; to enfeeble.

As a noun puny is

(obsolete) a new pupil at a school etc; a junior student.

feeble

English

Adjective

(er)

Deficient in physical strength; weak; infirm; debilitated.

Though she appeared old and feeble , she could still throw a ball.

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=October 23 , author=Tom Fordyce , title=2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=France were transformed from the feeble , divided unit that had squeaked past Wales in the semi-final, their half-backs finding the corners with beautifully judged kicks from hand, the forwards making yards with every drive and a reorganised Kiwi line-out beginning to malfunction.}}

Lacking force, vigor, or efficiency in action or expression; faint.

That was a feeble excuse for an example.

Synonyms

* (physically weak) weak, infirm, debilitated * faint

Derived terms

* enfeeble * feebleness * feeble-minded * feebly

Verb

(feebl)

(obsolete) To make feeble; to enfeeble.

References

* *

puny

English

Noun

(punies)

(obsolete) A new pupil at a school etc.; a junior student.

(obsolete) A younger person.

*, II.12:

a law that the eldest or first borne child shall succeed and inherit all: where nothing at all is reserved for Punies , but obedience.

(obsolete) A beginner, a novice.

(Fuller)

(archaic) An inferior person; a subordinate.

Adjective

(er)

Of inferior size, strength or significance.

* Shakespeare

A puny subject strikes at thy great glory.

* Keble

Breezes laugh to scorn our puny speed.

Synonyms

* See also