4  definitions  found 
 
  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  1.6  [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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