n.
Pronunciation: ' po ̇ iz
Function: verb
Inflected Form: poised ; pois · ing
Etymology: Middle English, to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare ― more at PENSIVE
Date: 1598
transitive verb
1 a : BALANCE especially : to hold or carry in equilibrium <carried a water jar poised on her head> b : to hold supported or suspended without motion in a steady position < poised her fork and gave her guest a knowing look ― Louis Bromfield>
2 : to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way
3 : to put into readiness : BRACE
intransitive verb
1 : to become drawn up into readiness
2 : HOVER