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newel
(no̵̅o̅′əl, nyo̵̅o̅′-)
noun
- the central upright pillar around which the steps of a winding staircase turn
- the post at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, supporting the handrailalso newel post
Origin: ME nowelle < OFr nuel, a nut, fruit pit < LL nucalis, like a nut < L nux (gen. nucis), nut
See newel in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A vertical support at the center of a circular staircase.
- A post that supports a handrail at the bottom or at the landing of a staircase.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English nouel, niewel
Origin: , from Old French noiel
Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *nōdellus, little knot
Origin: , diminutive of Latin nōdulus
Origin: , diminutive of nōdus, knot; see node
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