Forms: 34 strutt, 4 strot, 4, 9 dial. strout, 34, 7 strut. See also STURT sb. and A-STRUT. [The form strout prob. represents an OE. *strút = OHG., MHG. strûȥ masc., combat, strife (MHG. also strûȥe fem.; mod.G. dial. strauss):OTeut. type *strūto-z, f. root *strŭt-, perh. orig. meaning to stand out, project, protrude; cf. ON. strút-r conical headdress, Norw. strut spout, snout, Da. strud end of a sausage, etc., Sw. strut cornet of paper. The forms strut)t and perh. strot appear to represent a different formation (from the weak grade of the root); see STRUT v.1, and cf. Norw. strutt obstinate resistance.]
1. Strife, contention; a quarrel, wrangle, contest. Obs. exc. dial.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3461. Þair strut it was vn-stern stith. Ibid., 27617. O pride bicums vnbuxumnes, strif, and strutt, and frawardnes.
c. 1300. Havelok, 1039. And he maden mikel strout Abouten þe alþerbeste but.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., A. 848. Among vus commez non oþer strot ne stryf.
1677. W. Hughes, Man of Sin, II. i. 6. Could there be a strut, or fewd betwixt the two Apostles?
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Strout, a struggle; bustle; quarrel.
† 2. Display, flaunting in fine attire. Obs.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 3347. But wide þey þenke þat make swyche strut, yn what robe, yn erþe, þey shul be put.