banister

[ ban-uh-ster ]

/ ˈbæn ə stər /

a baluster.

Sometimes banisters. the balustrade of a staircase.

Origin of banister

1660–70; apparently by dissimilation from earlier barrister, alteration of baluster, perhaps by association with bar¹

baluster balustrade banister

“I saw one man, he got tired, and he went over to the banister and he jumped off and killed himself,” she says.

The Haunted Symbol of New Orleans |Nicole LaPorte |August 28, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Ben meantime was out in the hall, a stout walking-stick in his hand, hanging over the banister.

Ben Pepper |Margaret Sidney
Then you collapsed and knocked your head on the banister, and, as if that wasn't enough, developed pneumonia on top of it.

Quin |Alice Hegan Rice
The only thing I know, he was supposed to be on the west side of the banister.

Warren Commission (6 of 26): Hearings Vol. VI (of 15) |The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

He paused in his labours for a moment to lean with her against the banister.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles |Thomas Hardy
She was obliged to hold by the banister, with the hand that was free.

Man and Wife |Wilkie Collins