poise

Meaning

Noun

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

Synonyms

balance

equilibrium

cool

🆒

carriage

steadiness

equipoise

composure

aplomb

sang-froid

coolness

counterbalance

willing

assuredness

equilibrate

confidence

brace

yare

bearing

self-control

self-possession

set

meritoriousness

offset

peace

☮️

personable

ponder

prepare

provide

repose

sangfroid

sedateness

allow

serenity

set against

set off

solidarity

stability

suspense

test

keep one’s balance

unflappability

trim

value

weigh

P

good balance

chemical equilibrium

assertiveness

move smoothly

be firm on one’s feet

Translations

ισορροπώ

equilibrar

equilibrio

Gelassenheit

equilibrare

balanceren

equilibrio

Gleichgewicht

ισορροπία

Haltung

balancieren

aplomb

ευστάθεια

équilibre

huzur

☮️

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɔɪz/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: poys

Cognate with Anglo-Norman: poise

Cognate with Middle French: poise

In summary

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 pendere (“to weigh, ponder, think”). Doublet of peise.