Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
STUD
I. noun
Usage: often attributive see: stand Date: before 12th century
1. a group of animals and especially horses kept primarily for breeding, a place (as a farm) where a stud is kept, studhorse ,
3. a young man ; guy , a tough person, hunk 2,
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English stode, from Old English studu; akin to Middle High German stud prop, Old Norse stoth post Date: before 12th century
1. one of the smaller uprights in the framing of the walls of a building to which sheathing, paneling, or laths are fastened ; scantling , height from floor to ceiling,
2. a boss, rivet, or nail with a large head used (as on a shield or belt) for ornament or protection, a solid button with a shank or eye on the back inserted (as through an eyelet in a garment) as a fastener or ornament, a small button-like ornament with a post for inserting through a body part (as the earlobe or nostril) and into a clasp,
3. any of various infixed pieces (as a rod or pin) projecting from a machine and serving chiefly as a support or axis, one of the metal or rubber cleats projecting from a snow tire to increase traction,
III. transitive verb (studded; studding)
Date: circa 1506
to furnish (as a building or wall) with studs, to adorn, cover, or protect with studs, to set, mark, or decorate conspicuously often at intervals ,
IV. abbreviation student