poise
poise Lexical Profile
poise Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Calm, self-assured dignity and composure in one's bearing or behavior, especially under pressure.
"The keynote speaker handled the unexpected technical failure with remarkable poise."
A state of physical balance, stability, or equilibrium; the way in which the body or head is carried.
"Years of classical ballet training gave the dancer an effortless physical poise."
A centimeter-gram-second unit of dynamic viscosity, equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter.
"The laboratory technician measured the fluid's resistance to flow in centipoises, a fraction of a standard poise."
• verb
To position or prepare someone or something for immediate action or movement (usually used in the passive).
"With the new infrastructure completed, the region is poised for rapid economic growth."
To hold or support something in a balanced, steady, or suspended position.
"The heron poised its long neck above the reeds before darting into the water."
• Rhymes for poise
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'pois' (weight, balance) and 'peser' (to weigh), ultimately from Latin 'pensum', the neuter past participle of 'pendere' (to weigh or hang).