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Webster 1913 Edition


Newel

New′el

(nū′ĕl)
,
Noun.
[From
New
. Cf.
Novel
.]
A novelty; a new thing.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

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.
In architecture, the upright post about which are formed winding stairs, or a cylinder of stone formed by the end of the steps of the winding stairs.
2.
Novelty. [Not used.]

Definition 2024


newel

newel

English

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.