What is the meaning of poised?

verb

• Be motionless, in suspension.
  • usage: "The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked"
  • synonyms: poise
• Prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult.
  • synonyms: brace, poise
• Cause to be balanced or suspended.
  • synonyms: poise
• Hold or carry in equilibrium.
  • synonyms: poise, balance

adjective

• Marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action.
  • usage: "a gull in poised flight"; "George's poised hammer"
• In full control of your faculties.
  • usage: "the witness remained collected throughout the cross-examination"; "perfectly poised and sure of himself"; "more self-contained and more dependable than many of the early frontiersmen"; "strong and self-possessed in the face of trouble"
  • synonyms: collected, equanimous, self-collected, self-contained, self-possessed