GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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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 pèse, 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”.
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2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.
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Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky;
Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie. Dryden.
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3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
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One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality. Shak.
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To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. Dryden.
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4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.
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He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence. South.
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5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.]
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Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. Shak.
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