baluster

plural balusters · alternative obsolete ballister · alternative obsolete balluster · alternative Commonwealth balustre

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

   Nick looked at the floor, and at the rhythm of the black-and-gilt S-shaped balusters.

   2004, Alan Hollinghurst, chapter 17, in The Line of Beauty […], London: Picador, →ISBN

   2 more examples

   The two Posternes were answerable to those of others set downe before: and were cut out of the two round Towers which riz vp in proportionable measures, from the ground on the foreside with battlements and Ballisters round enclosing the tops, containing in all their heights — foote:

   1604, Stephen Harrison, “The Deuice called, Cozmoz Neoz, New World.”, in The arch's of triumph erected in honor of the high and mighty prince. Iames. ... at his Maiesties entrance and passage through his honorable citty & chamber of London. vpon the 15th. day of march 1603. ..., via EEBO

   Sepia Delft tiles surrounded the fireplace, their crudely drawn Biblical scenes in faded cyclamen blending with the pinkish pine, while above them, instead of a mantelshelf, there was an archway high enough to form a balcony with slender balusters and a tapestry-hung wall behind.

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 3, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

   Synonyms: banister