Definition of poise

• v. - Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness.
• v. - The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
• v. - The state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest.
• v. - That which causes a balance; a counterweight.
• n. - To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.
• n. - To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.
• n. - To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
• n. - To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.
• n. - To weigh (down); to oppress.
• v. i. - To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.