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This week's theme "New" words This week's words pneuma nugatory newel neuston nubilous Today's word in Visual Thesaurus Newel (photo: frizztext) Discuss Feedback RSS/XML A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg newel PRONUNCIATION: (NOO-uhl, NYOO-) MEANING: noun: 1. A center column that supports the steps of a spiral staircase. 2. A post supporting the handrail of a staircase. ETYMOLOGY: From Middle English nowel, from Middle French nouel (kernel), from Late Latin nucalis (nutlike), from Latin nuc-, nux (nut). USAGE: "Midway through the stair project he appeared with a solid pine stair newel, stripped and sanded." Mary Meier, A Millworker's House Remade, The Boston Globe, Feb 24, 2000. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mold. The same reason that makes us wrangle with a neighbor creates a war betwixt princes. -Michel de Montaigne, essayist (1533-1592)

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