Word: poised

Associations

"Poised" refers to being balanced, in control, or ready for action. It often describes a person who appears calm and composed, suggesting confidence.

• Example 1: "She remained poised during the presentation." The person spoke confidently and did not show nervousness.
• Example 2: "The athlete was poised to win as he prepared for the final leap." This means the athlete was ready and in a good position to succeed.
• Example 3: "He stood poised at the edge of the stage." Here, "poised" indicates that he was ready to perform or speak, showing no signs of hesitation.

A well-known synonym for "poised" is "composed." The difference is that "poised" often suggests readiness for action, while "composed" emphasizes calmness in a situation.

Substitution

You can use other words like "ready," "calm," or "steady."

• "Ready" implies being prepared for something specific.
• "Calm" focuses more on the lack of agitation or stress.
• "Steady" emphasizes stability and firmness.

Deconstruction

The word "poised" comes from the verb "poise," which means to place in a balanced position. The root is "poise," and it has no prefix or suffix in this context.

Historically, it relates to balancing or stabilizing, which is connected to the idea of being ready and composed.

Inquiry

• In what situations do you feel poised?
• Can you think of a time when remaining poised helped you succeed?
• How do you think being poised can change the outcome of a presentation or performance?