Poise
[pɒɪz] or [pɔɪz]
Definition
(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.
(noun.) a state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium.
(verb.) hold or carry in equilibrium.
(verb.) cause to be balanced or suspended.
(verb.) be motionless, in suspension; 'The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked'.
Editor: Lou--From WordNet
Definition
(v.) Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness.
(v.) The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
(v.) The state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest.
(v.) That which causes a balance; a counterweight.
(n.) To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.
(n.) To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.
(n.) To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
(n.) To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.
(n.) To weigh (down); to oppress.
(v. i.) To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.
Checker: Prudence
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Balance, equilibrium, equipoise.
v. a. Balance, hold or place in equilibrium.
Typist: Millie
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See BALANCE]
Checked by Jeannette
Definition
v.t. to balance: to make of equal weight: to examine.—v.i. to hang in suspense.—n. weight: state of balance: equilibrium: a weight which balances another: a regulating power: the weight used in steelyards.—n. Pois′er one who or that which poises.
Checked by Ernest
Examples
- Although the weight is estimated at several tons, so sensitive is its poise on the mercury that the enormous lantern may be easily rotated by the pressure of one’s finger. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Lydgate, by betting on his own strokes, had won sixteen pounds; but young Hawley's arrival had changed the poise of things. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- There was no mistaking the poise of the head, the squareness of the shoulders, the sharpness of the features. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- He arranged an electrometer, consisting of an iron needle poised on a pivot, by which to note the action of the magnet. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Then he turned to watch the proceeding below, poised like some wild bird ready to take swift wing at the first sign of danger. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Nearer and nearer she came to where Tarzan of the Apes crouched upon his limb, the coils of his long rope poised ready in his hand. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Three balanced cantilevers are employed, poised on four gigantic steel tube legs supported on four huge masonry piers. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- She poised herself on her sound foot, and she took her crutch, and beat it furiously three times on the ground. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- For what seemed an eternity to my overwrought nerves I remained poised thus. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- She glanced behind, and with a wild cry of laughter and challenge, veered, poised, and was gone beyond the grey stone buttress. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- I should have such strength,' muttered the robber, poising his brawny arm, 'that I could smash your head as if a loaded waggon had gone over it. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- I know he's always a saucy creature, said Rosa, poising herself on one of her little feet, and looking maliciously at Adolph. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- It seemed clear that where there was a baby, things were right enough, and that error, in general, was a mere lack of that central poising force. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
Editor: Rosanne