/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 no ( u ) el kernel, newel nucale, n. use of neut. of nucalis of a nut, nutlike, equiv. to L nuc- (s. of nux ) nut + -alis -AL 1 ]