The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.
      [1913 Webster]

            Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky;
            Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
      [1913 Webster]

            One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality.
                                                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.
      [1913 Webster]

            He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise
            the weight, and discern the evidence. --South.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]