balustrade

Meaning

A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.

Synonyms

railing

banister

handrail

parapet

rail

bannister

banisters

balusters

handhold

lattice

soffit

stairs

trelliswork

lattice work

hand rail

parapet wall

baluster

head rail

bar

barrier

bars

enclosure

grate

grating

grid

Translations

balustrade

Balustrade

Brüstung

balaustra

balaustrada

balustrade

balaustrata

Säulengeländer

Geländer

rampe

barana

balustrada

barandilla

hekje

κιγκλίδωμα

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌbæl.əˈstɹeɪd/

Etymology

Cognate with Classical Syriac: ܒܠܳܨܳܐ

In summary

Unadapted borrowing from French balustrade, from Italian balaustrata (“with balusters”), from balaustro (“baluster”), from balausta (“wild pomegranate flower”), via Latin balaustium, from Ancient Greek βαλαύστιον (balaústion), from Semitic, compare Classical Syriac ܒܠܳܨܳܐ (blāṣā, “pomegranate shoot”)). So named because of resemblance to the swelling form of the half-open pomegranate flower. Also see baluster.