[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

baluster \bal"uster\, n. f. balustre, it. balaustro, fr. l.
   balaustium the flower of the wild pomegranate, fr. gr.
   balay`stion; -- so named from the similarity of form.
   arch.
   a small column or pilaster, used as a support to the rail of
   an open parapet, to guard the side of a staircase, or the
   front of a gallery. see balustrade. corrupted into
   banister.
   1913 webster
see also:
balustrade banister 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

banister \ban"ister\, n. a corruption of baluster.
   1. a baluster.
      1913 webster

   2. sing. or pl. the balustrade of a staircase. formerly
      used in this sense mostly in the plural, now mostly in the
      singular. also spelled bannister.
      1913 webster +pjc

            he struggled to ascend the pulpit stairs, holding
            hard on the banisters.                --sir w.
                                                  scott.
see also:
bannister 

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

banister
     n : a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent
         people from falling syn: bannister, balustrade, balusters,
          handrail
see also:
bannister balustrade balusters handrail 

[4] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

48 moby thesaurus words for "banister":
   samson post, baluster, balustrade, base, caryatid, colonnade,
   column, dado, die, doorjamb, doorpost, footstalk, gatepost,
   hitching post, jack, jamb, king post, milepost, mullion,
   newel-post, pedestal, pedicel, peduncle, pier, pilaster, pile,
   piling, pillar, plinth, pole, post, queen-post, rail, shaft,
   signpost, snubbing post, socle, staff, stalk, stanchion, stand,
   standard, stem, stile, subbase, surbase, trunk, upright

Banister >> B Words
Banister, definition of term: Banister
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