balustrade
balustrade Lexical Profile
balustrade Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A railing supported by a row of balusters (short, ornamental pillars or spindles), especially one forming an ornamental parapet along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, or staircase.
"She leaned against the carved stone balustrade overlooking the palace gardens."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'balustrade' with 'baluster': a baluster is a single vertical spindle or short pillar, whereas a balustrade is the entire railing assembly composed of a row of balusters topped by a rail.
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-17th century from French 'balustrade', from Italian 'balaustrata', derived from 'balaustro' (baluster), which ultimately comes from Ancient Greek 'balaustion' (wild pomegranate flower) because the curved profile of the pillar resembled the calyx of the flower.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.