newel

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: new=el

CIDE DICTIONARY

newel, n. [From New. Cf. Novel.].

 A novelty; a new thing.  Spenser.  [1913 Webster]

newel, n. [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.].

 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.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

newel, n.
1 the supporting central post of winding stairs.
2 the top or bottom supporting post of a stair-rail.

Etymology

ME f. OF noel, nouel, knob f. med.L nodellus dimin. of L nodus knot