To walk with a proud, confident gait, often with chest out and head high. As a noun, it refers to a supporting beam or bar in construction.
From Middle English 'struten,' possibly related to Middle Low German 'strutt' meaning 'rigid' or 'stiff.' The proud walking sense emerged from the stiff, upright posture of confident movement.
Strut perfectly captures how body language communicates confidence - the same word describes both the proud human walk and the rigid support beams that hold up buildings. Both meanings share the concept of upright, confident support!
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