Newel
/ˈnjuː.əl/noun
The central support post of a staircase, or a carved ornament at its top; also a large upright post in some architectural structures.
Did you know?Newel comes through Old French from Latin novellus, meaning “new” or “young,” and in medieval building language it referred to the central upright that was literally the “new” post around which the stairs turned.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*néwos
“new, young”
Latin
Latin
novus
“new”
Late Latin
Latin
novellus
“quite new, young”
Old French
Old French
noel / nouvel
“new; a new post or central support in carpentry and stair construction”
Middle English
English
newel
“the central post of a staircase; a post or pillar at the head of stairs”
Modern English
English
newel
“the central supporting post of a staircase”