newel

A vertical support at the center of a circular staircase.

A post that supports a handrail at the bottom or at the landing of a staircase.

A new thing; a novelty.

In architecture, an upright cylinder or pillar which forms a center from which the steps of a winding stair radiate, and supports their inner ends from the bottom to the top.

In carpentry, the tall and more or less ornamental post at the head or foot of a stair, supporting a handrail.

In engineering, a cylindrical pillar terminating the wing-wall of a bridge.

In a ship, an upright timber which receives the tenons of the rails leading from the breastwork of the gangway.

A novelty; a new thing.

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.

A novelty; a new thing.