newel
newel — noun
1. a tall, upright post at the center of a spiral staircase, with the steps curving
a tall, upright post at the center of a spiral staircase, with the steps curving around it as they rise.
The carpenter carved a floral pattern into the newel of the spiral staircase.
collocation: newel of + staircase type
Abigail held onto the newel as she carefully climbed the narrow circular stairs.
verb: held onto the newel
The old newel at the center of the tower staircase was made of thick oak.
Restorers removed the damaged newel and put a new mahogany pillar in its place.
A small metal lamp sat on top of the newel on the spiral staircase.
- central pillar
more general; describes the function without the architectural term
- spindle
can refer to the same part but is broader (also used for banister rods)
用法筆記
This sense refers specifically to the central upright post around which a spiral or circular staircase winds, not to posts at the ends of straight stairs.
常見錯誤
2. a strong post at the bottom or top of a straight staircase, or at a landing, tha
a strong post at the bottom or top of a straight staircase, or at a landing, that often supports the handrail.
The newel at the bottom of the stairs was loose and needed tightening.
position: at the bottom / top of the stairs
A polished brass cap sat on top of the newel at the landing.
noun: brass cap on the newel
The Watanabe family chose a carved wooden newel for their front hallway stairs.
Tanvi painted the newel at the foot of the stairs to match the wooden floor.
Each newel on the long staircase was turned from solid cherry wood.
- newel post
a slightly more explicit term for the same object; interchangeable in most contexts
- stair post
more general; a non-specialist term any speaker would understand
用法筆記
Can appear at the bottom, top, or a landing of a straight staircase. Frequently paired with handrail or banister as part of the railing system.