poise n
1. a cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter; the viscosity of a fluid in which a force of one dyne per square centimeter maintains a velocity of 1 centimeter per second
2. a state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium
3. great coolness and composure under strain; "keep your cool" [syn: aplomb, assuredness, cool, sang-froid] v
4. be motionless, in suspension; "The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked"
5. prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult [syn: brace]
6. cause to be balanced or suspended
7. hold or carry in equilibrium [syn: balance]

Poise \Poise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poised, ; p. pr. & vb. n. Poising.] [OE. poisen, peisen, OF. & F. peser, to weigh, balance, OF. il peise, il poise, he weighs, F. il p[`e]se, fr. L. pensare, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See Poise, n., and cf. Pensive.] [Formerly written also peise.]
1. To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.
2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance. Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky; Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie. --Dryden.
3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance. One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality. --Shak. To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. --Dryden.
4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh. He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence. --South.
5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.] Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. --Shak.

Poise \Poise\, n. [OE. pois, peis, OF. pois, peis, F. poids, fr. L. pensum a portion weighed out, pendere to weigh, weigh out. Cf. Avoirdupois, Pendant, Poise, v.] [Formerly written 220 catflap.bishopston.net dictd 1.11.2/rf on FreeBSD 8.1-STABLE <558098.63011.1294536934@catflap.bishopston.net>

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The poise (symbol P, pronounced /ˈpɔɪz/) is the unit of dynamic viscosity in the centimetre gram second system of units. It is named after Jean Louis Marie Poiseuille (and not related to the ordinary word poise, even though its meaning might seem connected).

The analogous unit in the International System of Units is the pascal second (Pa·s):

The poise is often used with the metric prefix centi-. A centipoise is one one-hundredth of a poise, and one millipascal-second (mPa·s) in SI units. (1 cP = 10−2P = 10−3 Pa·s) Centipoise is properly abbreviated cP, but the alternative abbreviations cps, cp, and cPs are also commonly seen.

Water has a viscosity of 0.0089 poise at 25 °C and a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

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