Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Newel
New′el
(nū′ĕl)
, Noun.
[OF.
nual
, F. noyau
sone, of fruit, noyau d’escaler
newel, fr. L. nucalis
like a nut, fr. nux
, nucis
, nut. Cf. Nowel
the inner wall of a mold, Nucleus
.] (Arch.)
The upright post about which the steps of a circular staircase wind; hence, in stairs having straight flights, the principal post at the foot of a staircase, or the secondary ones at the landings. Also called
newel post
. See Hollow newel
, under Hollow
. Webster 1828 Edition
Newel
NEWEL
,Noun.
2.
Novelty. [Not used.]Definition 2024
newel
newel
English
Noun
newel (plural newels)
- (architecture) A central pillar around which a staircase spirals.
- (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.
- 1943, Raymond Chandler, The High Window, Penguin 2005, p. 238:
Synonyms
- (central pillar of a staircase spiral): spindle
Translations
central pillar of staircase
Etymology 2
From new + -el, modelled after novel (“new, original”).
Noun
newel (plural newels)
- (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.
- 1882: Edmund Spenser (Alexander Balloch Grosart, ed) The Complete Works in Verse and Prose of Edmund Spenser
Etymology
Ornamented newel at the foot of a staircase.
From Anglo-Norman nuel, Middle French nuel, of uncertain origin.