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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Poise \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 \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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Poise \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 p[`e]se,
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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