unpoisev.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈpɔɪz/, U.S. /ˌənˈpɔɪz/ transitive. To unbalance or discompose. Also in later use: to cease to hold in readiness or expectation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > absence of support > hold up without support or in equilibrium [verb (transitive)] > unbalance
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1700 S. Parker 6 Philos. Ess. 50 Instead of poizing, I look upon such a mass as rather fitted to unpoize and break the mystick Chains upon which the body of the earth hangs.
1777 in J. Cartwright Legislative Rights Commonalty Vindicated App. 217 The laws have been perverted and the constitution unpoised, by the gradual encroachments of the crown upon the rights of the people.
?1800 S. T. Coleridge Triumph Loyalty in Poet. Wks. (1912) II. 1073 The violent pull with which I seiz'd his Dagger Unpois'd me and I fell.
1869 A. J. Evans Vashti ix. 120 Had care, watching, and suspense unpoised her reason?
1931 Bookman Dec. 90/1 Human activities are altering nature and unpoising the delicate balance of checks and counterchecks which nature imposes.
1972 P. O'Brian Post Captain xii. 334 ‘Who are you?’ asked Jack, still poised to deal with him. ‘Tom's nevvy, your honour... I was to give you this,’—handing the letter. ‘Thankee, boy,’ said Jack, unpoising himself.
1997 Guardian 6 Dec. (The Week section) 7/1 Those rightly sick of the..media's self-obsession can unpoise their letter-writing pens.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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