POISE

Pronunciation (US):

• POISE (noun)
  The noun POISE has 3 senses:

1. 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
2. a state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium
3. great coolness and composure under strain

  Familiarity information: POISE used as a noun is uncommon.

• POISE (verb)
  The verb POISE has 4 senses:

1. be motionless, in suspension
2. prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
3. cause to be balanced or suspended
4. hold or carry in equilibrium

  Familiarity information: POISE used as a verb is uncommon.

• POISE (noun)

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Hypernyms ("poise" is a kind of...):

unit of viscosity (a unit of measurement for viscosity)

Meaning:

A state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("poise" is a kind of...):

equilibrium (a stable situation in which forces cancel one another)

Meaning:

Great coolness and composure under strain

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

aplomb; assuredness; sang-froid; cool; poise

Context example:

keep your cool

Hypernyms ("poise" is a kind of...):

calm; calmness; composure; equanimity (steadiness of mind under stress)

• POISE (verb)

Meaning:

Be motionless, in suspension

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked

Hypernyms (to "poise" is one way to...):

hover (hang in the air; fly or be suspended above)

Sentence frame:

Something is ----ing PP

Meaning:

Prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

brace; poise

Hypernyms (to "poise" is one way to...):

fix; gear up; prepare; ready; set; set up (make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "poise"):

nerve; steel (get ready for something difficult or unpleasant)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Meaning:

Cause to be balanced or suspended

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "poise" is one way to...):

lay; place; pose; position; put; set (put into a certain place or abstract location)

Cause:

balance; poise (hold or carry in equilibrium)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP

Meaning:

Hold or carry in equilibrium

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

balance; poise

Hypernyms (to "poise" is one way to...):

bear; carry; hold (support or hold in a certain manner)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "poise"):

juggle (hold with difficulty and balance insecurely)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something