Poise

Pronunciation

• enPR: poyz, IPA: /pɔɪz/
• Rhymes: -ɔɪz

Origin

From a combination of Anglo-Norman pois, Middle French pois ("weight") and Anglo-Norman poise, Middle French poise ("measure of weight").

Full definition of poise

Noun

1. (obsolete) Weight; an amount of weight, the amount something weighs.
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, I.xii:as an huge rockie clift,
  Whose false foundation waues haue washt away,
  With dreadfull poyse is from the mayneland rift,
  ... So downe he fell ....
2. The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
3. That which causes a balance; a counterweight.
• DrydenMen of unbounded imagination often want the poise of judgment.
4. A state of balance, equilibrium or stability
5. composure; freedom from embarrassment or affectation
6. mien; bearing or deportment of the head or body
7. A condition of hovering, or being suspended
8. (physics) A cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter.

Derived terms

• centipoise

Verb

1. (obsolete) To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.
• LongfellowThe slender, graceful spars
  Poise aloft in air.
2. (obsolete) To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
• Shakespeareone scale of reason to poise another of sensuality
• Drydento poise with solid sense a sprightly wit
3. (obsolete) To be of a given weight; to weigh. 14th-17th c.
4. (obsolete) To add weight to, to weigh down. 16th-18th c.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.2:Every man poiseth upon his fellowes sinne, and elevates his owne.
5. (now rare) To hold (something) with or against something else in equilibrium; to balance, counterpose. from 16th c.
• 1597, William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet, I.2:you saw her faire none els being by,
  Her selfe poysd with her selfe in either eye.
6. To hold (something) in equilibrium, to hold balanced and ready; to carry (something) ready to be used. from 16th c.I poised the crowbar in my hand, and waited.to poise the scales of a balance
• DrydenNor yet was earth suspended in the sky;
  Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie.
7. To keep (something) in equilibrium; to hold suspended or balanced. from 17th c.The rock was poised precariously on the edge of the cliff.
8. To ascertain, as if by balancing; to weigh.
• SouthHe cannot sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence.