Main Entry:

new·el

Pronunciation:

\ˈnü-əl, ˈnyü-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English nowell, from Anglo-French nuel, noel stone of a fruit, stone cut to form a newel, from Late Latin nucalis like a nut, from Latin nuc-, nux nut — more at nut

Date:

14th century

1 : an upright post about which the steps of a circular staircase wind 2 : a post at the foot of a straight stairway or one at a landing

[newel illustration]