newel

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See also: Newel

English

WOTD – 1 January 2009
English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈnjuː.əl/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈnu.əl/, /ˈnju.əl/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Etymology 1

Ornamented newel at the foot of a staircase.

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language code; the value "xno" is not valid. See WT:LOL. nuel, (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle French nuel, of uncertain origin.

Noun

newel (plural newels)

  1. (architecture) A central pillar around which a staircase spirals.
  2. (architecture) A sturdy pillar at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, supporting the handrail.
    • 1943, Raymond Chandler, The High Window, Penguin 2005, p. 238:
      We went along the hall to the end and up a flight of stairs with a carved handrail and newel post.
Synonyms
  • (central pillar of a staircase spiral): spindle
Translations

Etymology 2

From new +‎ -el, modelled after novel (“new, original”).

Noun

newel (plural newels)

  1. (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.
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