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.