Newel

Newel

A newel, also called a central pole, is an upright post that supports the handrail of a stair banister.[1][2][3] In stairs having straight flights it is the principal post at the foot of the staircase, but it can also be used for the intermediate posts on landings and at the top of a staircase. Although its primary purpose is structural, newels have long been adorned with decorative trim and designed with different architectural styles.[4]

Newels are sometimes called solid newels in distinction from hollow newels due to varying techniques of construction. In historic homes, it is believed that the house plans were placed in the newel upon completion of the house before the newel was capped.[citation needed]

A wobbly newel post is a plot device in the 1946 classic "It's a Wonderful Life." The same is used, in jest, in the 1989 film "Christmas Vacation."

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Chambers Science and Technology Dictionary
  2. ^ Glossary of Australian Building Terms - Third Edition.(NCRB)
  3. ^ Carpentry and Joinery - Volume Three - Dowsett and Stevens.
  4. ^ Distinctive Wood Designs Inc. (2010) "Newel Post Styles", 1.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Newel — New el (n[=u] [e^]l), n. [OF. nual, F. noyau sone, of fruit, noyau d escaler newel, fr. L. nucalis like a nut, fr. nux, nucis, nut. Cf. {Nowel} the inner wall of a mold, {Nucleus}.] (Arch.) The upright post about which the steps of a circular… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • newel — (n.) mid 14c., pillar from which steps of a winding staircase radiate, from O.Fr. noel, novel knob, newel, kernel, stone (Mod.Fr. noyau), from V.L. *nodellus little knot, dim. of L. nodulus, dim. of nodus knot (see NET (Cf. net) (n.)). Klein s… …   Etymology dictionary

  • newel — ► NOUN 1) the central supporting pillar of a spiral or winding staircase. 2) (also newel post) the top or bottom supporting post of a stair rail. ORIGIN Old French nouel knob , from Latin nodus knot …   English terms dictionary

  • newel — [no͞o′əl, nyo͞o′əl] n. [ME nowelle < OFr nuel, a nut, fruit pit < LL nucalis, like a nut < L nux (gen. nucis), NUT] 1. the central upright pillar around which the steps of a winding staircase turn 2. the post at the top or bottom of a… …   English World dictionary

  • Newel — New el (n[=u] [e^]l), n. [From {New}. Cf. {Novel}.] A novelty; a new thing. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Newel — Newel, 1) Kreis im russischen Gouvernement Witebsk (Westrußland), von der Drissa u. vielen Seen bewässert; hat viel Waldung u. 65,000 Ew.; 2) Hauptstadt darin, an der Emenka u. am See Newelskoi; hat 6 Kirchen verschiedener Confessionen, eine… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Newel — Newel, Kreisstadt im russ. Gouv. Witebsk, am See N., mit 4 Kirchen und (1897) 9988 Einw. (meist Juden) …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Néwel — Néwel, Kreisstadt im russ. Gouv. Witebsk, am See N., 9988 E., russ. Mönchskloster, Synagoge …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Newel — Wappen Deutschlandkarte …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • newel — /nooh euhl, nyooh /, n. 1. See newel post. 2. a central pillar or upright from which the steps of a winding stair radiate. 3. (on an escalator) the horizontal section of railing at the upper or lower end. [1325 75; earlier nuel, ME nowel < MF… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”