newel (NOO-el, NYOO-) noun

   1. A center column that supports the steps of a spiral staircase.

   2. A post supporting the handrail of a staircase.

[Middle English nowel, from Middle French nouel, kernel, from Late Latin
nucalis, nutlike, from Latin nuc-, nux nut.]

   "Midway through the stair project he appeared with a solid pine stair
   newel, stripped and sanded."
   Mary Meier, A Millworker's House Remade, The Boston Globe, Feb 24, 2000.

This week's theme: words to describe odds and ends.

............................................................................
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Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/newel.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/newel.ram