Newel /(nū"ĕl)/

New·el

Newel

n.
  1. A novelty; a new thing. [Obs.]

Newel

n.
  1. 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. Also called newel post. See Hollow newel, under Hollow. (Arch.)