newel

  1. Noun.  (architecture) A central pillar around which a staircase spirals.
  2. Noun.  (architecture) A sturdy pillar at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, supporting the handrail.
  3. Noun.  (obsolete) A novelty; a new thing.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.