newel

== English == === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈnjuː.əl/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈnu.əl/, /ˈnju.əl/ Rhymes: -uːəl, -uːl === Etymology 1 === Inherited from Middle English nowel, *newel, from Old French noel, from either Early Medieval Latin nōdellus (“buckle”, diminutive of nōdus "knot") or Late Latin nucālis (“nut-like”, derivative of nux "nut"). Doublet of noil and noyau. ==== Noun ==== newel (plural newels) (architecture) A central pillar around which a staircase spirals. Synonym: spindle (architecture) A sturdy pillar at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, supporting the handrail. Synonym: newel post ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === From new +‎ -el, modelled after novel (“new, original”). ==== Noun ==== newel (plural newels) (obsolete) A novelty; a new thing. 1882: Edmund Spenser (Alexander Balloch Grosart, ed) The Complete Works in Verse and Prose of Edmund Spenser He was so enamoured with the newel. === Further reading === newel on Wikipedia.Wikipedia