Apedia

Staircase Middle Latin Stair Newel Noo Uhl Nyoo Noun

A newel is the central column supporting spiral stairs or the post that upholds a handrail.

A newel is the central column supporting a spiral staircase or the post supporting a handrail.

Front newel \NOO-uhl, NYOO-\
Back
noun
1. A center column that supports the steps of a spiral staircase.
2. A post supporting the handrail of a staircase.

[From Middle English nowel, from Middle French nouel (kernel), from Late Latin nucalis (nutlike), from Latin nuc-, nux (nut).]

"Midway through the stair project he appeared with a solid pine stair newel, stripped and sanded."

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