n. [ F. pose, fr. poser. See Pose, v. t. ] The attitude or position of a person; the position of the body or of any member of the body; especially, a position formally assumed for the sake of effect; an artificial position;
v. t.
v. i. To assume and maintain a studied attitude, with studied arrangement of drapery; to strike an attitude; to attitudinize; figuratively, to assume or affect a certain character;
He . . . posed before her as a hero. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. [ Shortened from appose, for oppose. See 2d Appose, Oppose. ]
A question wherewith a learned Pharisee thought to pose and puzzle him. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖a. [ F., placed, posed. ] (Her.) Standing still, with all the feet on the ground; -- said of the attitude of a lion, horse, or other beast. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ AS. gepose; of uncertain origin; cf. W. pas a cough, Skr. kās to cough, and E. wheeze. ] A cold in the head; catarrh. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Firm; determined; fixed. “A most posed . . . and grave behavior.” [ Obs. ] Urquhart. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who, or that which, puzzles; a difficult or inexplicable question or fact. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]