I. ˈpȯiz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English poisen (also, to weigh), from Middle French pois-, stem of peser, from Latin pensare to weigh, ponder, consider — more at pensive
transitive verb
1. archaic : to weigh mentally : consider , ponder , deliberate
would have seen him turn crimson in poising the question — A.W.Kinglake
2. : balance:
a. archaic : to bring into equilibrium with something else
who poises and proportions sea and land — William Cowper
b. obsolete : offset , counterbalance
two contrary winds poise each other — Henry Stubbe
c.
(1) : to hold or carry in equilibrium : hold or carry steadily or evenly
walked along gracefully with a water jar poised on her head
poised a plate on the end of his finger
: cause to be evenly or motionlessly supported or suspended
for an instant the gull hung poised in the sky
: hold supported or suspended without motion
poised her fork and gave her guest a knowing look — Louis Bromfield
masses of ice are poised at one moment and the next come crashing down — John Hunt & Edmund Hillary
(2) : to keep (as something that is supported or suspended) in a steady position : keep from going one way or the other : stabilize
the nonchalance with which the steersman poised the canoe — Ernest Beaglehole
d. : to hold or carry (as the head) in a particular way
poised her head disdainfully — G.B.Shaw
3. : to draw up into readiness : put into a position or attitude of readiness
poised their armies for the battle
especially : brace
poised themselves for the ordeal awaiting them
intransitive verb
1. : to become drawn up into readiness for something
knew that they were poising for the encounter
2. : hover
the hawk poised momentarily and then struck
Synonyms: see stabilize
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English poyse , from Middle French pois , from Latin pensum weight, from neuter of pensus , past participle of pendere to weigh — more at pendant
1.
a. obsolete : heaviness
b. : a definite mass (as a movable sliding block on a scale) used for its weight
2.
a. : balance , equilibrium
a watch spring in perfect poise
a poise between widely divergent impulses — F.R.Leavis
b. archaic : suspension of movement or activity
the poise of the flood tide … was only of brief duration — Frederick Leighton
3.
a.
(1) : easy composure of manner marked especially by assurance and gracious dignity
is a woman of poise and charm
: tranquil self-possession and self-confidence
never lost his poise under any circumstances
have the poise and security that goes with independence — W.F.McDermott
are old enough to face them with a certain poise — Bertrand Russell
(2) : tranquillity , calm , serenity
without disturbing the poise of a drawing room — Van Wyck Brooks
is imperatively needed to give poise to the nerves — Havelock Ellis
known for his accomplishments, his poise of mind, and his invariable courtesy — Edward Breck
b. : a particular way of carrying oneself : bearing , carriage
noted her very distinctive poise
Synonyms: see balance , tact
III. ˈpwäz noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, after Jean Louis Marie Poiseuille died 1869 French physician and anatomist
: a cgs absolute unit of viscosity that is equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter