poise — graceful and elegant bearing in a person; composure and dignity of manner
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: graceful and elegant bearing in a person; composure and dignity of manner
Pronunciation (IPA): /pɔɪz/
Example Sentences
- Even when the wedding cake collapsed, the bride maintained her poise and laughed it off.
- The cat showed perfect poise as it walked along the narrow fence.
- He tried to look cool and collected, but his poise crumbled when he walked into the glass door.
poise
NOUN[/pɔɪz/]
graceful and elegant bearing in a person; composure and dignity of manner
She kept her poise as the crown was placed on her head.
POIS(poison) + E(ending) — after drinking POIS(poison), the secret agent kept his poise.
Despite the crashing noise behind him, the royal guard kept his poise.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Poise derives from Old French 'pois' (weight) in the 14th century, connected to Latin 'pensum' (to weigh). Originally denoting physical balance, the term gradually evolved to encompass mental composure and graceful bearing.
Breakdown
pois (weight, from Latin pensum meaning to weigh) → poise, shifting from literal balance to figurative equilibrium and dignified self-control.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Even when the wedding cake collapsed, the bride maintained her poise and laughed it off.”
“The cat showed perfect poise as it walked along the narrow fence.”
“He tried to look cool and collected, but his poise crumbled when he walked into the glass door.”
“The diplomat's poise during the tense negotiations impressed everyone.”
📚Related Words
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