The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
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
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
23 January 2025
LEFT
(adjective) being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the west when facing north; “my left hand”; “left center field”; “the left bank of a river is bank on your left side when you are facing downstream”
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