newel
(noun) the central pillar of a circular staircase
Source: WordNet® 3.1
newel (plural newels)
(architecture) A central pillar around which a staircase spirals.
(architecture) A sturdy pillar at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, supporting the handrail.
• (central pillar of a staircase spiral): spindle
newel (plural newels)
(obsolete) A novelty; a new thing.
Source: Wiktionary
New"el, n. Etym: [From New. Cf. Novel.]
Definition: A novelty; a new thing. [Obs.] Spenser.
New"el, n. Etym: [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.)
Definition: The upright post about which the steps of a circular staircase wind; hence, in stairs having straight flights, the principal post at the foot of a staircase, or the secondary ones at the landings. See Hollow newel, under Hollow.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
22 January 2025
(noun) memorial consisting of a very large stone forming part of a prehistoric structure (especially in western Europe)
Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.
