poise
n. uncountablen. a calm and confident way of behaving, even in difficult situations. It also describes a graceful way of moving or holding your body.
n. a state of balanced composure and self-assurance; also refers to a graceful, controlled physical carriage. Often used to describe a person's demeanor under pressure.
She showed great poise during the difficult interview.
The diplomat handled the aggressive questioning with remarkable poise, never losing his temper or his focus.
The ballerina's natural poise was evident not just in her performance, but in the effortless way she carried herself offstage.
From Middle English poys, poyse, from Anglo-Norman pois, Middle French pois (“weight”) and Anglo-Norman poise, Middle French poise (“measure of weight”), from Latin pendere (“to weigh, ponder, think”). Doublet of peise.
From French physicist and physiologist Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille.
Typically uncountable when referring to a person's character or physical grace.