2. A calm self-assured dignity; especially, in dealing with social situations.
3. A graceful controlled way of standing, moving, or performing an action.
4. A state of hovering or being in suspension, as from equality or equal distribution of weight.
5. The ability to conduct oneself confidently and comfortably; self-possession.
6. Etymology: "weight, quality of being heavy", later "significance, importance" (mid-15th century), from Old French pois, "weight, balance, consideration"; from Medieval Latin pesum, "weight", from Latin pensum and pendere, "to weigh".
The sense of "steadiness, composure" was first recorded in the 1640's, from the notion of being equally weighted on either side.
The verb is first recorded in the late 14th century, "to have a certain weight", from Old French peser, from Vulgar Latin pesare; from Latin pensare. "to weigh carefully", and pendere, "to weigh".
2. A graceful way of walking, moving, standing, etc.: Trudy was a dancer with great poise and elegance.
2. To hold or to support, as in readiness: The congressional committee wants to poise a new proposal for the health bill.
2. Prepared or ready for something: The new senator-elect was poised to take on his new duties.
They were poised to become top scholars in their academic fields.
3. Having been in a state, place, or situation that was between two different or opposite things: The survivors of the earthquake were poised between struggling as survivors and additional devastation.A Roman gladiator cut the noose that was thrown by an opponent with a single slash of his sword while the rope was still poised in mid-air.
The politician was poised to answer the questions from the press with poise even after being attacked for his current political position regarding the war.
Poise is the ability to hide one's anger; or, poise is the ability to be ill at ease without showing it.
Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific!
Fain would I fathom thy nature specific,
Distantly poised in the ether capacious,
Closely resembling a gem carbonaceous.
Did you have difficulty understanding this sesquipedalian version of the poem? If so, here it is in a simple format.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star!
How I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
2. Fully prepared or in position and about to do something: "Investors are apparently poised to make big investments in the coming days."
3. Serenely self-possessed and free from agitation; especially, in times of stress.