I. ˈpōz verb
( posed ; pos·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French poser, from Vulgar Latin * pausare, from Late Latin, to stop, rest, pause, from Latin pausa pause
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to set forth or offer for attention or consideration
let me pose a question
b. : to come to attention as : present
smoking pose s a health risk
2.
a. : to put or set in place
b. : to place (as a model) in a studied attitude
intransitive verb
1. : to assume a posture or attitude usually for artistic purposes
2. : to affect an attitude or character usually to deceive or impress
posed as a doctor to gain access to the ward
II. noun
Date: 1818
1. : a sustained posture ; especially : one assumed for artistic effect
2. : an attitude, role, or characteristic assumed for effect
Synonyms:
pose , air , airs, affectation , mannerism mean an adopted way of speaking or behaving. pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others
her shyness was just a pose
air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life
a traveler's sophisticated air
airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness
snobbish airs
affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere
the posh accent is an affectation
mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit
gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism
III. transitive verb
( posed ; pos·ing )
Etymology: short for earlier appose, from Middle English apposen, alteration of opposen to oppose
Date: 1593
: puzzle , baffle