Centre post of winding or spiral staircase Concealed dungeon having a trap door in its ceiling as its only opening, where prisoners were often left to starve to death, sometimes in total darkness
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
{i} pillar around which steps wind; post at head or foot of a stairwell for handrails
The central pillar or post of a stair to which the balustrade is attached Newels are used at the base of a stair and wherever the stairway changes direction