poise

Meaning

Noun

1. A state of balance, equilibrium or stability.
2. Composure; freedom from embarrassment or affectation.
3. Mien; bearing or deportment of the head or body.
4. A condition of hovering, or being suspended.
5. A CGS unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimetre.
6. (obsolete) Weight; an amount of weight, the amount something weighs.
7. The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
8. That which causes a balance; a counterweight.

Verb

1. (obsolete) To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.
2. (obsolete) To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
3. (obsolete) To be of a given weight; to weigh.
4. (obsolete) To add weight to, to weigh down.
5. To hold (something) with or against something else in equilibrium; to balance, counterpose.
6. To hold (something) in equilibrium, to hold balanced and ready; to carry (something) ready to be used.
7. To keep (something) in equilibrium; to hold suspended or balanced.
8. To ascertain, as if by balancing; to weigh.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɔɪz/

Etymology

From Middle English poys, poyse, from Anglo-Norman pois, Middle French pois (“weight”) and Anglo-Norman poise, Middle French poise (“measure of weight”), from Latin pēnsāre (“to ponder, weight, think”).