Emily Dickinson Lexicon

POISE, v.t. [poiz; W. pwysaw, to throw down, to press, to lean or incline, to weigh; Arm. poesa; It. pesare; Sp. and Port. pesar; Corn. puza; Fr. peser.]

1. To balance in weight; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.
2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance. Our nation with united interest blest, / Not now content to poise, shall sway the rest. – Dryden.
3. To load with weight for balancing. Where could they find another form so fit, / To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit? – Dryden.
4. To examine or ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh. He can not consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence of the clearest argumentations, where they would conclude against his desires. – South.
5. To oppress; to weigh down. Lest leaden slumber poise me down to-morrow, / When I should mount on wings of victory. – Shak.