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1. Be motionless, in suspension
   "The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked"
    
2. Prepare (oneself), often but not necessarily for something unpleasant or difficult
   - brace
    
3. Cause to be balanced or suspended
    
4. Hold or carry in equilibrium
   - balance

1. A cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimetre; the viscosity of a fluid in which a force of one dyne per square centimetre maintains a velocity of 1 centimetre per second
    
2. A state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium
    
3. Great coolness and composure under strain
   "keep your poise";
   - aplomb, assuredness, cool, sang-froid, sangfroid

Derived forms: poised, poising, poises

Type of: bear, calm, calmness, carry, collectedness, composure, equanimity, equilibrium, fix, gear up, hold, hover, lay, place, pose, position, prepare, put, ready, set, set up, unflappability, unit of viscosity

Encyclopedia: Poise