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
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
Amaya lowered a metal paperweight she’d had poised to hurl.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
But, oh, the little land of peace and love That those night-loving wings had poised above,— Where was it gone?
From The Poems of Henry Van Dyke by Henry Van Dyke
And with it came the spearmen three, who, when the Chamois was fleeing from their bow, had poised their javelins.
From Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. I by Herman Melville
