Changes

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Poise.jpg|right|frame]]

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Poise.jpg|right|frame]]

==Pronunciation==

==Origin==

[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], to weigh, [[ponder]], from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare

 

Inflected Form(s): poised; pois·ing

==Etymology==

Middle [[English]], to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare — more at pensive

==Date==

==Date==

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1598]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1598]

==Definitions==

==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

*3 : to put into readiness : brace