banisters









banisters


noun

  1. a baluster.
  2. Sometimes banisters. the balustrade of a staircase.

pl n

  1. the railing and supporting balusters on a staircase; balustrade
n.

1660s, unexplained corruption of baluster. As late as 1830 condemned as “vulgar,” it is now accepted. Surname Bannister is from Old French banastre “basket,” hence, “basket-maker.”

57 queries 0.592