poise

Where does the word "poise" come from? It comes from Latin pensare, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Poise’s story begins in Latin: pensare meant “to weigh, to consider.” The root of 'pensive' and 'pension'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as poiser. Carried into French for weighing or balancing something. It reached English by 1400s as poise. Settled as the English word for graceful, balanced composure. Today, poise means graceful, composed balance, especially in bearing or manner.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pensare "to weigh, to consider", the root of 'pensive' and 'pension'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval poiser "to weigh, to balance", carried into French for weighing or balancing something.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s poise "graceful and balanced composure", settled as the English word for graceful, balanced composure.