<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a dignified, self-confident manner or bearing;</li><li>composure;</li><li>self-possession:<ul><li>to show poise in company.</li></ul></li><li>Synonyms:<ul><li>refinement,</li><li>grace,</li><li>polish,</li><li>self-confidence,</li><li>steadiness;</li><li>stability:</li><li>intellectual poise.</li></ul></li><li>Antonyms:<ul><li>instability</li></ul></li><li>a state of balance or equilibrium, as from equality or equal distribution of weight;<ul><li>equipoise.</li></ul></li><li>Antonyms:<ul><li>imbalance,</li><li>disequilibrium</li></ul></li><li>suspense or wavering, as between rest and motion or two phases of motion:<ul><li>the poise of the tides.</li></ul></li><li>the way of being poised, held, or carried.</li><li>the state or position of hovering:<ul><li>the poise of a bird in the air.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>poised, poising.</li><li>to adjust, hold, or carry in equilibrium;<ul><li>balance evenly.</li></ul></li><li>to hold supported or raised, as in position for casting, using, etc.:<ul><li>to poise a spear.</li></ul></li><li>to hold or carry in a particular manner:<ul><li>She walked, carefully poising a water jug on her head.</li></ul></li><li>to put (a person or thing) in a state or position of readiness or preparedness:<ul><li>The mayor is credited with poising the city for impressive growth and development.</li><li>He has poised himself to succeed.</li><li>The mayor is credited with poising the city for impressive growth and development.</li></ul></li><li>Obsolete.</li><li>to weigh.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>poised, poising.</li><li>to rest in equilibrium;<ul><li>be balanced.</li></ul></li><li>to hover, as a bird in the air.</li></ul>