adj
1 [pred 作表语] ~ (in, on, above, etc sth) in a state of balance, stillness 平衡; 平稳
*poised on tiptoe, in mid-air, etc 用足尖、在半空中...保持平衡
* sth poised on the edge of a table, ie likely to fall off if lightly touched 在桌子边上稍触即掉的东西.
2 [pred 作表语] ~ (in/on/above/for sth); ~ (to do sth) (of people, animals, etc) in a state of physical tension, ready for action （指人、动物等）身体处于紧张状态, 准备行动
*poised on the edge of the swimming-pool, ie ready to jump in 在游泳池边作出跳水的姿势
* (fig 比喻) The Allies were poised (ie ready) for their invasion of Europe. 同盟国准备随时入侵欧洲.
* Combined Breweries arepoised to (ie about to) take over the British Beer Company.联合酿酒公司准备接管不列颠啤酒公司.
3 (fig 比喻) calmly self-controlled; full of poise (2) 泰然自若的; 自信的; 自制的
*a poised young lady 文静自若的年轻女子
* a poised manner 沉着的态度.

adj
[Sense: 1-3; Date: 1600-1700; Origin: poise 'to weigh, balance' (14-21 centuries), from Old French peser, from Latin pensare]
[Sense: 4; Date: 1900-2000; Origin:POISE]
[not before noun]
not moving, but ready to move or do something at any moment
poised for
　She waited by the door like a small animal poised for flight.
poised on
　His finger was poised on the camera's shutter release.
poised to do sth
　He stood on the edge of the roof, poised to jump.
[not before noun]
completely ready to do something or for something to happen, when it is likely to happen soon
poised to do sth
　Spain was poised to become the dominant power in Europe.
poised on the brink/edge of sth
　The economy is poised on the edge of collapse.
poised between sth and sth
to be in a position or situation in which two things have an equally strong influence
　The world stood poised between peace and war.
behaving in a calm, confident way, and able to control your feelings and reactions
　Abigail walked to the microphone, poised and confident.