baluster
- Architecture. any of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing.
- balusters, a balustrade.
- any of various symmetrical supports, as furniture legs or spindles, tending to swell toward the bottom or top.
Origin of baluster
Related Words for baluster
support, balustrade, rail, baluster, handrail, shaft, pin, rod, stem, stalk, axle, axis, rachis, mandrelExamples from the Web for baluster
Historical Examples of baluster
“Thou hast been in trouble,” she said, leaning on the baluster above him.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
Fred took his place, and shook the baluster, then the other—its fellow—but there was no result.
Crown and SceptreGeorge Manville Fenn
Clutching with either hand the baluster I leaned over, listening.
Memoirs of a MidgetWalter de la Mare
Dorothy looked over the baluster at the humming top, but said nothing.
Dorothy Dainty at the MountainsAmy Brooks
Sometimes the mid-wall shaft is a baluster, turned in a lathe.
baluster
- any of a set of posts supporting a rail or coping
- (of a shape) swelling at the base and rising in a concave curve to a narrow stem or necka baluster goblet stem
Word Origin for baluster
Word Origin and History for baluster
"support for a railing," c.1600, from French balustre, from Italian balaustro "pillar," from balausta "flower of the wild pomegranate," from Greek balaustion (perhaps of Semitic origin, cf. Aramaic balatz "flower of the wild pomegranate"). Staircase uprights had lyre-like double curves, like the calyx tube of the pomegranate flower.