poise

Definitions

1. 1.The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
2. 2.The state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest. Bentley.
3. 3.That which causes a balance; a counterweight. Men of unbounded imagination often want the poise of judgment. Dryden.
4. 4.To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.
5. 5.To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance. Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky; Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie. Dryden.
6. 6.To counterpoise; to counterbalance. One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality. Shak. To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. Dryden.
7. 7.To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh. He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence. South.
8. 8.To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.] Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. Shak.
9. 9.To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt. The slender, graceful spars Poise aloft in air. Longfellow.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "poise" mean?
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Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is poise.

• What is the weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed called?
• What is the state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest. Bentley called?
• What is that which causes a balance; a counterweight. Men of unbounded imagination often want the poise of judgment. Dryden called?
• What is to balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance called?
• What is to hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance. Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky; Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie. Dryden called?
• What is to counterpoise; to counterbalance. One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality. Shak. To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. Dryden called?
• What is to ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh. He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence. South called?
• What is to weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.] Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. Shak called?
• What is to hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt. The slender, graceful spars Poise aloft in air. Longfellow called?