newel en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
- /ˈnjuː.əl/ (UK)
- /ˈnu.əl/ (US)
- /ˈnju.əl/ (US)
Etymology
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.
Meanings
- Either of two kinds of supporting post in a staircase. ▸ A central pillar around which some types of spiral staircase are spiralled.
-
Either of two kinds of supporting post in a staircase. ▸ A sturdy pillar at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, supporting the handrail.
We went along the hall to the end and up a flight of stairs with a carved handrail and newel post.
1943, Raymond Chandler, The High Window, Penguin, published 2005, page 238:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| newels | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Coordinates
Deriveds
Synonyms
spindle · newel post · newel post
Translations (15)
io chef-balustro (central pillar of staircase) · nl spindel (central pillar of staircase) · cs sloupek zábradlí (pillar supporting the handrail) · fr noyau (central pillar of staircase) · ga ráille staighre (central pillar of staircase) · ga cuaille (central pillar of staircase) · de Spindel (central pillar of staircase) · fi keskipilari (central pillar of staircase) · pl słupek balustrady schodowej (central pillar of staircase) · bg централна колона на вита стълба (central pillar of staircase) · ru коло́нна винтовой лестницы (central pillar of staircase) · es alma (central pillar of staircase) · cs sloup točitého schodiště (central pillar of staircase) · ca monjo (central pillar of staircase) · ga mol (central pillar of staircase)