frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

cliff.
poised adj. 1 composed, controlled, self-possessed, unflappable,
(self-)confident, (self-)assured, dignified, cool-headed,
imperturbable, unruffled, cool, staid, reserved, sedate, calm,
serene, tranquil, Colloq together: For a lad of eleven, Richard
is quite poised. 2 ready, standing by, waiting, prepared: Our
commando unit is poised to attack at your signal. 3 teetering,
hovering, tottering, wavering, suspended, trembling, wobbling,
balanced: In the present business climate, the company is
poised on the brink of bankruptcy.
poison n. 1 toxin, venom, bane; miasma, mephitis: The chemical plant
was found to be releasing poisons into the atmosphere. He kills
rats using poison. 2 virus, bane, cancer, canker, corrupt or
evil influence, pestilence, plague, blight: The drug barons
continue to spread their poison throughout the world.
--v. 3 defile, adulterate, infect, taint, pollute; contaminate,
debase, pervert, vitiate, subvert, warp, envenom: Chemicals
from the nearby plant have poisoned the drinking-water. Why
have you poisoned the child's mind against eating spinach? 4
murder, kill, do away with, destroy, dispatch or despatch:
Lucrezia Borgia poisoned her enemies in ingenious ways.
poisonous adj. 1 lethal, deadly, fatal, mortal, toxic, septic, virulent,
noxious or rare nocuous, venomous, malignant, pernicious,
miasmic, mephitic: Poisonous effluents were leaked into the
rivers by the chemical plant. 2 malicious, malevolent,
malignant, corruptive, vicious, baleful, evil, foul,
diabolic(al), defamatory, libellous, slanderous, dangerous,
deleterious,: They have been spreading poisonous gossip about
him again.
poke v. 1 jab, stick, prod, dig, goad, stab, thrust, push, elbow,
nudge, jog, jostle, butt, shove: Be careful not to poke someone
in the eye with your umbrella. He tells a joke, then pokes me
in the ribs to make sure I've got it. 2 punch, hit, strike, box,
cuff, smite, smack: I made a suggestive remark and she poked me
in the jaw. 3 pry, nose (about or around), stick one's nose
into, intrude, dig, probe, investigate; meddle, interfere, butt
in, tamper; Colloq snoop: I wish they would stop poking into my
affairs. 4 poke fun (at). tease, ridicule, mock, make fun of,