Hypertext Webster Gateway: "poise"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Poise \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Poise \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Poise \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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
poise
n 1: 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
2: a state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium
3: great coolness and composure under strain; "keep your cool"
[syn: {aplomb}, {assuredness}, {cool}, {sang-froid}, {self-possession}]
v 1: be motionless, in suspension; "The bird poised for a few
moments before it attacked"
2: prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
[syn: {brace}]
3: cause to be balanced or suspended
4: hold or carry in equilibrium [syn: {balance}]
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