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.] 1. Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness. “Weights of an extraordinary poise.” Evelyn.
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2. The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
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3. The state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest. Bentley.
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4. 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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5. a dignified and self-confident manner; graceful composure and tact in handling difficult social situations.
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Poise, v. i. To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.
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The slender, graceful spars
Poise aloft in air. Longfellow.
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