New"el (?), n. [From New. Cf. Novel.] A novelty; a new thing. [Obs.] Spenser.

New"el (?), n. [OF. nual, F. noyau sone, of fruit, noyau d'escaler newel, fr. L. nucalis like a nut, fr. nux, nucis, nut. Cf Nowel the inner wall of a mold, Nucleus..] (Arch.) 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. See Hollow newel, under Hollow.

• pillar around which a stair spirals
  
• a novelty; a new thing.