Poising

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
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     2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.
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              Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky;
              Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie. --Dryden.
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     3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
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              One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality.
                                                    --Shak.
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              To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. --Dryden.
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     4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.
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              He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise
              the weight, and discern the evidence. --South.
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     5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.]
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              Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. --Shak.
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