n.
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English poyse weight, heaviness, from Anglo-French peis, pois, from Latin pensum, from neuter of pensus, past participle of pendere to weigh ― more at PENDANT
Date: 1649
1 : a stably balanced state : EQUILIBRIUM <a poise between widely divergent impulses ― F. R. Leavis>
2 a : easy self-possessed assurance of manner : gracious tact in coping or handling also : the pleasantly tranquil interaction between persons of poise <no angry outbursts marred the poise of the meeting> b : a particular way of carrying oneself : BEARING , CARRIAGE
synonyms see TACT