poise
noun
a dignified, self-confident manner or bearing; composure; self-possession.
had poised
-
past perfectof poise.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
The figure on the Louisville ledge reacted, in turn, just like the figure who had poised on the ledge in Boston.
From Time Magazine Archive
Amaya lowered a metal paperweight she’d had poised to hurl.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
By 1933, their collaboration had poised the University of California to take its place as one of the great academic centers of the world, one of the richest institutions and most ambitious.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
So he had poised in old days; so he poised himself now, with Cleer by his side, an angel confessed, on those high tors of Dartmoor.
From Michael's Crag by Grant Allen
Fear seized on the bold Wan-ches-e When he saw the Pale-Face maiden Standing where had poised the White Doe, Where the White Man's Fort had once stood.
From The White Doe The Fate of Virginia Dare by Sallie Southall Cotten
