POISE

aplomb, assuredness, cool, poise, sang-froid

(noun) great coolness and composure under strain; “keep your cool”

poise

(noun) 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

poise

(noun) a state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium

poise, balance

(verb) hold or carry in equilibrium

poise

(verb) cause to be balanced or suspended

brace, poise

(verb) prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

poise

(verb) be motionless, in suspension; “The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

poise (countable and uncountable, plural poises)

A state of balance, equilibrium or stability.

Composure; freedom from embarrassment or affectation.

Mien; bearing or deportment of the head or body.

A condition of hovering, or being suspended.

(physics) A CGS unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimetre.

(obsolete) Weight; an amount of weight, the amount something weighs.

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

That which causes a balance; a counterweight.

Verb

poise (third-person singular simple present poises, present participle poising, simple past and past participle poised)

(obsolete) To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.

(obsolete) To counterpoise; to counterbalance.

(obsolete) To be of a given weight; to weigh. [14th-17th c.]

(obsolete) To add weight to, to weigh down. [16th-18th c.]

(now rare) To hold (something) with or against something else in equilibrium; to balance, counterpose. [from 16th c.]

To hold (something) in equilibrium, to hold balanced and ready; to carry (something) ready to be used. [from 16th c.]

To keep (something) in equilibrium; to hold suspended or balanced. [from 17th c.]

To ascertain, as if by balancing; to weigh.

Anagrams

• speoi

Source: Wiktionary

Poise, n. Etym: [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.] Etym: [OE. poisen, peisen, OF. & F. peser, to weigh, balance, OF. il peise, il poise, he weighs, F. il pèse, 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.

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

POISE

Etymology

Noun

Verb

Anagrams

Recent Word Finds

Word of the Day

THEORETICAL

Do you know this game?