poised Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb be motionless, in suspension
   poise.
   
   • The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked
2. verb prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
   brace; poise.
   
3. verb cause to be balanced or suspended
   poise.
   
4. verb hold or carry in equilibrium
   balance; poise.
   
5. adjective satellite marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
   
   • a gull in poised flight
   • George's poised hammer
6. adjective satellite in full control of your faculties
   self-possessed; equanimous; self-contained; self-collected; collected.
   
   • the witness remained collected throughout the cross-examination
   • perfectly poised and sure of himself
   • more self-contained and more dependable than many of the early frontiersmen
   • strong and self-possessed in the face of trouble

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