Stud
/stʌd/noun
A small metal fastener or a protruding decorative knob; also a male breeding animal, or a stylish, sexually attractive man.
Did you know?The “male animal” sense of stud is ancient in English, while the “ornamental pin” sense is from Old English *studd*, meaning a support or prop, so the word’s history is more about force and bearing than glamour.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*steh₂-
“to stand, make or be firm”
Old English
OE
studd
“a support, prop, or post”
Old English
OE
stoda
“a breeding stallion, sire”
Middle English
ME
stud
“a support or projecting knob; also a breeding male animal”
Modern English
English
stud
“a small projecting fastener or ornament; a breeding male; a sexually attractive man”