newel

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“
Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

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Definitions (12)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun A vertical support at the center of a circular staircase.
  2. noun A post that supports a handrail at the bottom or at the landing of a staircase.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (6)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (2)

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Examples

  • He was leaning against the newel-post, smoking the inevitable cigarette, and as I came hesitantly down the stairs he looked up and gave me a sardonic good morning. —  Madam Will You Talk
  • Richard turned to Warren, still shrunk back against the marble newel post. —  Stone of Tears
  • Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof. —  The Happy Foreigner
  • Luke snapped his fingers. —  Prince of Chaos
  • "Pardon?" —  Critical Condition
 

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Newel has been looked up 214 times, favorited twice, listed 13 times, and commented on 3 times.

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Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English nouel, niewel, from Old French noiel, from Vulgar Latin *nōdellus, little knot, diminutive of Latin nōdulus, diminutive of nōdus, knot; see node.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. Formerly nowel, nuell, from Old French nueil, nual, noiel, French noyau = Provencal nogalh, nogaill, the stone of a fruit, a newel, from Middle Latin *nucale, stone of a fruit, a newel, neuter of Late Latin nucalis, of a nut, from Latin nux (nuc-), nut: see nucleus
  2. Irreg. from new + -el, after novel. Cf. Newalty.
 

Pronunciations
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/ˈnjuɛl/
by American Heritage

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