Did you know that 'newel' is actually French?

'Newel' is a word borrowed from French 'nouel'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

newel [noun] [14th century]

• an upright post about which the steps of a circular staircase wind
• a post at the foot of a straight stairway or one at a landing

See 'newel' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

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

See more loan words from 1300s.