Definitions for: Poise


[n] great coolness and composure under strain; "keep your cool"
[n] a cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter; the viscosity of a fluid in which a force of one dyne per square centimeter maintains a velocity of 1 centimeter per second
[n] a state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium
[v] hold or carry in equilibrium
[v] cause to be balanced or suspended
[v] prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
[v] be motionless, in suspension; "The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked"



Webster (1913) Definition: Poise, n. [OE. pois, peis, OF. pois, peis, F. poids, fr.
L. pensum a portion weighed out, pendere to weigh, weigh out.
Cf. Avoirdupois, Pendant, Poise, v.] [Formerly written
also peise.]
1. Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend;
heaviness. ``Weights of an extraordinary poise.''
--Evelyn.



2. The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance
the substance weighed.

3. The state of being balanced by equal weight or power;
equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest. --Bentley.

4. That which causes a balance; a counterweight.

Men of unbounded imagination often want the poise of
judgment. --Dryden.


Poise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poised, ; p. pr. & vb. n.
Poising.] [OE. poisen, peisen, OF. & F. peser, to weigh,
balance, OF. il peise, il poise, he weighs, F. il p[`e]se,
fr. L. pensare, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See Poise,
n., and cf. Pensive.] [Formerly written also peise.]
1. To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the
scales of a balance.

2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.

Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky; Nor poised,
did on her own foundation lie. --Dryden.

3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance.

One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality.
--Shak.

To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. --Dryden.

4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.

He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise
the weight, and discern the evidence. --South.

5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.]

Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. --Shak.


Poise, v. i.
To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence,
to be in suspense or doubt.

The slender, graceful spars Poise aloft in air.
--Longfellow.

Synonyms: aplomb, assuredness, balance, brace, cool, sang-froid, self-possession

See Also: bear, calm, calmness, carry, composure, equanimity, equilibrium, gear up, hold, hover, lay, nerve, place, poise, pose, position, prepare, put, ready, set, set, set up, steel, unit of viscosity

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