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banister vs. baluster

[ban-uh-ster] / ˈbæn ə stər /
Also bannister

noun

  1. a baluster.

  2. Sometimes banisters. the balustrade of a staircase.

[bal-uh-ster] / ˈbæl ə stər /

noun

  1. Architecture. any of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing.

  2. balusters, a balustrade.

  3. any of various symmetrical supports, as furniture legs or spindles, tending to swell toward the bottom or top.