stag
UK: stæɡ | US: stæɡ
n. an adult male deer, especially a red deer after its fifth year
n. (informal) a man who attends a social event without a female companion
n. (finance) a person who applies for shares in a new issue with the intention of selling them immediately for profit
The word "stag" originates from Old English stagga, meaning "a male deer." It is a Germanic word with cognates in Old Norse (steggr) and Middle Dutch (steghe). The term has retained its core meaning over centuries, though it later acquired metaphorical uses in social and financial contexts. The simplicity of its structure reflects its ancient roots, with no further morphemic division needed.
A majestic stag stood at the edge of the forest.
He went to the party as a stag, without a date.
The stock market was flooded with stags hoping to profit from the IPO.
Hunters tracked the stag through the snowy woods.
In medieval art, the stag often symbolized purity and solitude.