/ ˌbæləˈstreɪd; NAmE / noun
a row of posts, joined together at the top, built along the edge of a balcony , bridge, etc. to prevent people from falling off, or as a decoration
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from French , from balustre , from Italian balaustro , from balaust(r)a wild pomegranate flower (via Latin from Greek balaustion ).