Stud

Stud. (1) A number of horses kept for the purpose of breeding, also the place or establishment where they are kept; similarly, a "stud horse," a stallion, "stud groom," the head groom of a stud, "stud-book," the register containing the pedigree of thoroughbred horses. 'The word in Old English is stod, and cognate forms are found in Icelandic and Danish, cf. also German Gestilt; steed, now a literary word for horse, meant in Old English (steda) a stud-horse, and is the same as stud in origin. The root to which the word is referred is sta-, to stand. A stud meant, therefore, an establishment. (2) A word which is used of many different objects, the primary meaning being a "prop" or support. The Old English word is studu, and cognates are found in Danish, Swedish and Icelandic. The ultimate origin is also the root sta-, to stand. The chief applications of the term are as follows: in architecture, to a post; quarter or upright in wooden partitions; to the transverse pieces of iron which strengthen the links of a chain; to a boss or knob inserted on a belt, collar, or piece of armour, often decorated and forming an ornamentation; and, particularly, to a species of button, consisting of a rounded head, neck and flat base, used for fastening a collar, shirt, &c.