Definition of strut

The word "strut" has its roots in the Old English language, where it was spelled "srot" or "cester." Its origins lie in the Old English verb "sceadu" which meant "to walk with pride" or "to swagger." The word's etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "skædaz" which meant "to make a show" or "to show off." In its earliest form, "strut" was primarily used to refer to a particular walk or stance that conveyed pride, self-confidence, or importance. It was typically used to describe the way birds held themselves or walked, as the forerunner of the modern term "strut" referred to the long, typically hollow, leg bone that allowed birds to stand and move with such pride. The meaning of the word gradually expanded to refer to any instance in which someone walked or stood with confidence, such as a proud peacock strutting its feathers or a male human strutting around with his chest puffed out. Over time, the meanings of "strut" have continued to expand, now used more broadly to refer to anything that forms a support, such as the strutting in a building that connects beams together, or in aviation to refer to the long, rigid beams that support wings or control surfaces. In this broader sense, the modern usage can be traced back to the Old English word "sceadu" which originally referred to any form of support that enabled people or objects to stand upright. Despite these subtle changes in meaning, the core of the word "strut" remains rooted in its original connotations of pride, importance, and self-confidence. Whether it's a proud bird, a human with their chest puffed out, or a crucial beam that supports a structure, the word "strut" encompasses a sense of self-assurance and value that has persisted for centuries.