Difference between revisions of "Poise"
From Nordan Symposia
Jump to navigationJump to search (→Date) |
|||
Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
Middle [[English]], to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare — more at pensive | Middle [[English]], to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare — more at pensive | ||
==Date== | ==Date== | ||
− | 1598 | + | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1598] |
− | + | ==Definitions== | |
− | transitive verb | + | :transitive verb |
− | 1 a : [[balance]]; especially : to hold or carry in equilibrium <carried a water jar poised on her head> | + | *1 a : [[balance]]; especially : to hold or carry in equilibrium <carried a water jar poised on her head> |
− | |||
:b : to hold supported or suspended without [[motion]] in a steady position <poised her fork and gave her guest a knowing look — Louis Bromfield> | :b : to hold supported or suspended without [[motion]] in a steady position <poised her fork and gave her guest a knowing look — Louis Bromfield> | ||
− | + | *2 : to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way | |
− | 2 : to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way | + | *3 : to put into readiness : brace |
− | + | :intransitive verb | |
− | 3 : to put into readiness : brace | + | *1 : to become drawn up into readiness |
− | + | *2 : hover | |
− | intransitive verb | ||
− | 1 : to become drawn up into readiness | ||
− | |||
− | 2 : hover | ||
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] |
Revision as of 13:33, 2 October 2010
Pronunciation
\ˈpȯiz\
Function
verb
Inflected Form(s): poised; pois·ing
Etymology
Middle English, to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare — more at pensive
Date
Definitions
- transitive verb
- 1 a : balance; especially : to hold or carry in equilibrium <carried a water jar poised on her head>
- b : to hold supported or suspended without motion in a steady position <poised her fork and gave her guest a knowing look — Louis Bromfield>
- 2 : to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way
- 3 : to put into readiness : brace
- intransitive verb
- 1 : to become drawn up into readiness
- 2 : hover