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Poise ,
n. [OE. pois, peis, OF. pois, peis, F. poids, fr. L. pensum a portion weighed out, pendere to weigh, weigh out. Cf. Avoirdupois, Pendant, Poise, v.] [Formerly written also peise.]- Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness. “Weights of an extraordinary poise.”
Evelyn.
1913 Webster
- The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
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- The state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest.
Bentley.
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- That which causes a balance; a counterweight.
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Men of unbounded imagination often want the poise of judgment.
Dryden.
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- a dignified and self-confident manner; graceful composure and tact in handling difficult social situations.
PJC
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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.]- To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.
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- 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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- 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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- 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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- To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.]
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Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow.
Shak.
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Poise,
v. i. To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.1913 Webster
The slender, graceful spars
Poise aloft in air.
Longfellow.
1913 Webster