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]