poise : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: poise	by the DICT Development Group
4 results for poise
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
poise n a cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter; the viscosity of a fluid in which a force of one dyne per square centimeter maintains a velocity of 1 centimeter per second a state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium great coolness and composure under strain; "keep your cool" Synonym(s): aplomb, assuredness, cool, poise, sang-froid v be motionless, in suspension; "The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked" prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult Synonym(s): brace, poise cause to be balanced or suspended hold or carry in equilibrium Synonym(s): poise, balance
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
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[8a]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. 2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance. Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky; Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie. --Dryden. 3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance. One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality. --Shak. To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. --Dryden. 4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh. He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence. --South. 5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.] Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
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. [bd]Weights of an extraordinary poise.[b8] --Evelyn.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Poise \Poise\, v. i. To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt. The slender, graceful spars Poise aloft in air. --Longfellow.