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poise1 definition

poise (po̵iz)

noun

  1. balance; stability
  2. ease and dignity of manner; self-assurance; composure
  3. the condition of being calm or serene
  4. carriage; bearing, as of the body or head
  5. Now Rare
    1. a suspension of activity in a condition of balance
    2. suspense; irresolution; indecision

Etymology: ME pois, weight < OFr < VL *pesum < L pensum, something weighed < pendere, to weigh: see pendant

transitive verb poised, poising pois′·ing

  1. to balance; keep steady
  2. to suspend: usually passive or reflexive
  3. Rare to weigh

Etymology: ME poisen < OFr poiser < peise, inflected form of peser, to weigh < VL pesare < L pensare, to weigh out < pensus, pp. of pendere

intransitive verb

  1. to be suspended or balanced
  2. to hover
poise2 definition

poise (po̵iz)

noun

the basic unit of viscosity of a fluid in the CGS system, equal to the force measured in dynes per square centimeter needed to maintain a difference in velocity of one centimeter per second between two parallel planes of a fluid separated by one centimeter (0.1 pascal second): abbrev. P

Etymology: Fr, after J. L. M. Poiseuille (1799-1869), Fr anatomist

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