poise
noun
a dignified, self-confident manner or bearing; composure; self-possession.
had been poising
-
past perfect progressiveof poise.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Three harlequins who had been poising each on one knee, chins in hands, gazing down into the face of the little performer, suddenly threw backward somersaults in their joy.
From The Circus Boys in Dixie Land : or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South by Edgar B. P. Darlington
The boy had been poising as if on winged feet, and now he flew.
From The Leatherwood God by William Dean Howells
