newel
Americannoun
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a central pillar or upright from which the steps of a winding stair radiate.
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(on an escalator) the horizontal section of railing at the upper or lower end.
noun
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the central pillar of a winding staircase, esp one that is made of stone
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See newel post
Etymology
Origin of newel
1325–75; earlier nuel, Middle English nowel < Middle French no ( u ) el kernel, newel < Late Latin *nucāle, noun use of neuter of nucālis of a nut, nutlike, equivalent to Latin nuc- (stem of nux ) nut + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
A newel is a post or pole that supports a spiral staircase or one end of a flight of stairs. When you put your hand on the banister of a stairway, you can see that the banister is held in place by a newel. Newels are important structural elements of a stairway, providing the central support for a spiral staircase that winds around it, or holding up one end of a straight flight of stairs. Most newels are also decorative, with carved posts or fancy trim. Newel comes from the Old French word nouel, "knob or stone," from the Latin nodulus, the diminutive form of nodus, or "knot."
Vocabulary lists containing newel
Learning Down The House: Parts of Your Home
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Architecture 101
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Chasing Vermeer
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Among the artefacts found in the house are two angels, carved from oak, which once stood as newel posts at the foot of the house's main stairway.
From BBC • Aug. 31, 2024
However, the newel post and railing had been replaced during a previous renovation and had a different stain that had yellowed over time, resulting in a kind of Franken-staircase.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 25, 2023
The interior of the Gaines street building retains much of its original layout as well as woodwork such as the central staircase with its newel post and spindles.
From Washington Times • Aug. 1, 2020
Commodious spiral stairs tend to be more like 60 inches in diameter — but you’ll still find each tread narrowing to a sliver at the newel.
From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2019
Instead of newel posts at the bottom of the staircase, an intricately carved oak monkey clung to either end of the railing.
From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
