bal·us·ter  (b ăl ə-st ər)
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n.1. a. One of the upright, usually rounded or vase-shaped supports of a balustrade. b. An upright support, such as a furniture leg, having a similar shape. 2. One of the supporting posts of a handrail.
[French balustre, from Italian balaustro, from balaustra, pomegranate flower (from a resemblance to the post), from Latin balaustium, from Greek balaustion, probably from a Semitic source akin to Syriac blaṣ, to bud, flower, and perhaps to Tigrinya bäläṣä, to be superior.] |
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