Poise \Poise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poised, ; p. pr. & vb. n. Poising.]

[OE. poisen, peisen, OF. & F. peser, to weigh, balance, OF. il peise, il poise, he weighs, F. il p[`e]se, fr. L. pensare, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See Poise, n., and cf. Pensive.]

[Formerly written also peise.]

1. To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.

2. 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.

3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance.

One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality. --Shak.

To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. --Dryden.

4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.

He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence. --South.

5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.]

Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Poise \Poise\, n. [OE. pois, peis, OF. pois, peis, F. poids, fr. L. pensum a portion weighed out, pendere to weigh, weigh out. Cf. Avoirdupois, Pendant, Poise, v.]

[Formerly written also peise.]

1. Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness. ``Weights of an extraordinary poise.'' --Evelyn.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Poise \Poise\, v. i. 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 Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)