Lexic.us

Definition of Poise

1. Noun. 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.

2. Verb. Be motionless, in suspension. "The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked"

3. Noun. A state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium.

4. Verb. Prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult.

5. Noun. Great coolness and composure under strain. "Keep your cool"

6. Verb. Cause to be balanced or suspended.

7. Verb. Hold or carry in equilibrium.

Definition of Poise

1. n. Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness.

2. v. t. To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.

3. v. i. To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.

Definition of Poise

1. Noun. (obsolete) Weight; an amount of weight, the amount something weighs. ¹

2. Noun. A state of balance, equilibrium or stability ¹

3. Noun. composure; freedom from embarrassment or affectation ¹

4. Noun. mien; bearing or deportment of the head or body ¹

5. Noun. A condition of hovering, or being suspended ¹

6. Noun. (physics) A cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter. ¹

7. Verb. (obsolete) To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt. ¹

8. Verb. (obsolete) To be of a given weight; to weigh. (defdate 14th-17th c.) ¹

9. Verb. (obsolete) To add weight to, to weigh down. (defdate 16th-18th c.) ¹

10. Verb. (rare) To hold (something) (term with) or (term against) something else in equilibrium; to balance, counterpose. (defdate from 16th c.) ¹

11. Verb. To hold (something) in equilibrium, to hold balanced and ready; to carry (something) ready to be used. (defdate from 16th c.) ¹

12. Verb. To keep (something) in equilibrium; to hold suspended or balanced. (defdate from 17th c.) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Poise

1. to hold in a state of equilibrium [v POISED, POISING, POISES]

Medical Definition of Poise

1. In the CGS system, the unit of viscosity equal to 1 dyne-second per square centimeter and to 0.1 pascal-second. Origin: J. Poiseuille (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Poise

points of sale points of view points out points the bone pointsets pointsettia pointsettias pointsman pointsmen pointwise

pointwork pointy pointy-toed poioumenon pois poise (current term) poised poiseless poiser poisers

poises poisha poising poison poison-berry poison-ivy poison-pen letter poison-pen letters poison arrow plant poison ash

Literary usage of Poise

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1884)
"Inside of the poise are two large wheels, about eight inches in diameter. ... The pinion carrying the poise along the beam is an inch in circumference, ..."

2. English Synonyms Explained, in Alphabetical Order: With Copious by George Crabb (1818)
"'TO poise, BALANCE. poise, in French peser, probably comes from pes a foot, on which the body is as it were poised. The idea of bringing into an equilibrium ..."

3. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: “a” Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature edited by Hugh Chisholm (1911)
"When the poise is at the zero end, and there is no load on the platform, ... The mitre wheels come into operation and the poise is carried along till the ..."

4. Arboreal Man by Frederic Wood Jones (1916)
"CHAPTER XVIII THE poise OF THE HEAD AND THE CURVES OP THE SPINE THE differences seen in the disposition of the cervical spinous processes in the Anthropoids ..."

5. Handbook of Testing Materials: For the Constructor. Part I. Methods by Adolf Martens (1899)
"If the expedient be used of employing several poise-weights, the proportional scale would not be a very formidable affair. The proportional scales might ..."

6. The Art of Writing English: A Book for College Classes by Rollo Walter Brown, Nathaniel Waring Barnes (1913)
"poise of literary good breeding. — Along with this sense of beauty the ... These people of poise and fine sensibility we admiringly call well bred. ..."

7. The Art of Writing English: A Book for College Classes by Rollo Walter Brown, Nathaniel Waring Barnes (1913)
"poise of literary good breeding. — Along with this sense of beauty the ... These people of poise and fine sensibility we admiringly call well bred. ..."

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