poise

/ˈpȯiz/

Middle English, to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare

verb

  1. balance; especially : to hold or carry in equilibrium

  2. to hold supported or suspended without motion in a steady position

  3. to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way

poised her fork and gave her guest a knowing look

noun

  1. a stably balanced state : equilibrium

  2. easy self-possessed assurance of manner : gracious tact in coping or handling; also : the pleasantly tranquil interaction between persons of poise

  3. a particular way of carrying oneself : bearing, carriage

a poise between widely divergent impulses

tact address poise savoir faire mean skill and grace in dealing with others. tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate. address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

noun

  1. a centimeter-gram-second unit of viscosity equal to the viscosity of a fluid that would require a shearing force of one dyne to impart to a one-square-centimeter area of an arbitrary layer of the fluid a velocity of one centimeter per second relative to another layer separated from the first by a distance of one centimeter