Literary notes about Strut (AI summary)
The word strut appears in literature as a rich, multifaceted term that conveys both physical swagger and symbolic display. Often, it is used to describe a proud or ostentatious gait—characters are depicted strutting through halls with a showy demeanor [1] or parading like peacocks [2, 3] to underline their self-importance. At times, authors use the term humorously or critically to capture exaggerated bravado or to satirize societal pretensions [4, 5], while in some contexts it even assumes a more technical meaning, referring to a supporting element in structures [6, 7]. Overall, strut serves as a versatile device to animate characters and scenes by merging literal movement with figurative expressions of vanity and theatricality.
- By the three Kings, you strut here in my hall with jingling spurs which you have no right to wear.
— from Tekla: A Romance of Love and War by Robert Barr - Red-marked sheep that bleat so loudly Are his courtiers cross-bedight, Calves that strut before him proudly Seem each one a stalwart knight.
— from The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 06
Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English. in Twenty Volumes - His frocktails winked in bright sunshine to his fat strut.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce - he’s a hero; the drawback is that his notion of demeanin’ himse’f as sech is to spread his tail feathers an’ strut.
— from The Black Lion Inn by Alfred Henry Lewis - "Only I'm sorry you are so vain, and strut around so, and want everyone to see how beautiful you are."
— from Policeman Bluejay by L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum - A tubular strut from the frame of the ship made the blow-pipe."
— from Astounding Stories of Super-Science, June, 1930 by Various - The strut or support of a Congreve rocket.
— from The Sailor's Word-Book
An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by W. H. (William Henry) Smyth