I encountered this word in an archaeology site, describing
the vertical timbers in a very early dwelling. It reminded me of the early biplanes that had two strong vertical members at each wingtip. I was a bit surprised that AHD did not mention the aircraft word.

strut

PRONUNCIATION: strt
VERB: Inflected forms: strut·ted, strut·ting, struts

INTRANSITIVE VERB: To walk with pompous bearing; swagger.
TRANSITIVE VERB: 1. To display in order to impress others. Sometimes used with out: Don't strut out your resume until you have more accomplishments to list. 2a. To provide (a structure) with a strut or struts. b. To brace or separate with or as if with a strut.
NOUN: 1. A pompous, self-important gait. 2. A structural element used to brace or strengthen a framework by resisting longitudinal compression.
IDIOM: strut (one's) stuff Slang To behave or perform in an ostentatious manner; show off.
ETYMOLOGY: Middle English strouten, to stand out, from Old English strtian, to stand out stiffly. See ster-1 in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS: strutter —NOUN
strutting·ly —ADVERB