I. ˈstag noun
( plural stags )
Etymology: Middle English stagge, from Old English stagga; akin to Old Norse andar steggi drake
Date: 12th century
1. or plural stag : an adult male red deer ; also : the male of various other deer (especially genus Cervus )
2. chiefly Scottish : a young horse ; especially : a young unbroken stallion
3. : a male animal castrated after sexual maturity — compare steer 1
4. : a young adult male domestic chicken or turkey
5.
a. : a social gathering of men only
b. : one who attends a dance or party without a companion
II. verb
( stagged ; stag·ging )
Etymology: stag (informer)
Date: 1796
transitive verb
British : to spy on
intransitive verb
: to attend a dance or party without a companion
III. adjective
Date: 1843
1.
a. : restricted to men
a stag party
b. : intended or suitable for a gathering of men only ; especially : pornographic
stag movies
2. : unaccompanied by someone of the opposite sex
stag women
• stag adverb