baluster

Meaning

A short column used in a group to support a rail, as commonly found on the side of a stairway or around a balcony; a banister.

Synonyms

banister

bannister

bars

bobbin

column

enclosure

jamb

pillar

post

puncheon

radius

rail

railing

reel

scape

spoke

spool

stanchion

strut

balustrade

rail post

Translations

balaustre

balustre

balaustro

balaústre

balustre

Baluster

στύλος

baluster

κάγκελο

Geländersäule

pilastrino

colonnina

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbæl.ʌ.stɹ/

Etymology

Cognate with Aramaic: balatz

In summary

Borrowed from Middle French balustre, from Italian balaustro (“pillar”), from balausta, balaustio (“wild pomegranate flower”), from Latin balaustium, from Ancient Greek βαλαύστιον (balaústion), from Semitic (compare Classical Syriac ܒܠܳܨܳܐ (blāṣā, “pomegranate shoot”)). Doublet of banister.