Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Poise \Poise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poised}, ; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Poising}.] [OE. poisen, peisen, OF. & F. peser, to weigh,
   balance, OF. il peise, il poise, he weighs, F. il p[`e]se,
   fr. L. pensare, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See {Poise},
   n., and cf. {Pensive}.] [Formerly written also {peise}.]
   1. To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the
      scales of a balance.

   2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.

            Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky; Nor poised,
            did on her own foundation lie.        --Dryden.

   3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance.

            One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality.
                                                  --Shak.

            To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. --Dryden.

   4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.

            He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise
            the weight, and discern the evidence. --South.

   5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.]

            Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. --Shak.