Poise word meaning and definition

[noun] great coolness and composure under strain; "keep your cool"
[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
[noun] a state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium
[verb] hold or carry in equilibrium
[verb] cause to be balanced or suspended
[verb] prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
[verb] be motionless, in suspension; "The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked"

\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.

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