n.
Pronunciation: ' nü- ə l, ' nyü-
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 2