strut

v. t. To hold apart. Cf. Strut, n., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Protuberant. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Strutted p. pr. & vb. n. Strutting. ] [ OE. struten, strouten, to swell; akin to G. strozen to be swelled, to be puffed up, to strut, Dan. strutte. ] 1. To swell; to bulge out. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The bellying canvas strutted with the gale. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To walk with a lofty, proud gait, and erect head; to walk with affected dignity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Does he not hold up his head, . . . and strut in his gait? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ For senses 2 & 3 cf. LG. strutt rigid. ] 1. The act of strutting; a pompous step or walk. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) In general, any piece of a frame which resists thrust or pressure in the direction of its own length. See Brace, and Illust. of Frame, and Roof. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Engin.) Any part of a machine or structure, of which the principal function is to hold things apart; a brace subjected to compressive stress; -- the opposite of stay, and tie. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Struthious. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Struthiones [ L., an ostrich, fr. Gr. &unr_;. ] (Zool.) A genus of birds including the African ostriches. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. See Struthio, and -oid. ] (Zool.) Same as Struthiones. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. See Struthio. ] (Zool.) (a) A division, or order, of birds, including only the African ostriches. (b) In a wider sense, an extensive group of birds including the ostriches, cassowaries, emus, moas, and allied birds incapable of flight. In this sense it is equivalent to Ratitae, or Dromaeognathae. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Struthious. [ 1913 Webster ]