Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - stud

 I. noun  Usage: often attributive  Etymology: Middle English stod, from Old English stod; akin to Old Church Slavic stado flock and probably to Old High German stan to stand — more at stand  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. a group of animals and especially horses kept primarily for breeding  b. a place (as a farm) where a ~ is kept  2. ~horse; broadly a male animal kept for breeding  3.  a. a young man ; guy; especially one who is virile and promiscuous  b. a tough person  c. hunk 2  II. noun  Etymology: Middle English stode, from Old English ~u; akin to Middle High German ~ prop, Old Norse stoth post  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. one of the smaller uprights in the framing of the walls of a building to which sheathing, paneling, or laths are fastened ; scantling  b. height from floor to ceiling  2.  a. a boss, rivet, or nail with a large head used (as on a shield or belt) for ornament or protection  b. a solid button with a shank or eye on the back inserted (as through an eyelet in a garment) as a fastener or ornament  c. a small button-like ornament with a post for inserting through a body part (as the earlobe or nostril) and into a clasp  3.  a. any of various infixed pieces (as a rod or pin) projecting from a machine and serving chiefly as a support or axis  b. one of the metal or rubber cleats projecting from a snow tire to increase traction  III. transitive verb  (~ded; ~ding)  Date: circa 1506  1. to furnish (as a building or wall) with ~s  2. to adorn, cover, or protect with ~s  3. to set, mark, or decorate conspicuously often at intervals a sky ~ded with stars a career ~ded with honors  IV. abbreviation ~ent