different between baluster vs bollard

English

Alternative forms

• ballister, balluster (obsolete)
• balustre (Commonwealth)

Etymology

From Middle French balustre, from Italian balaustro (“pillar”), from balausta (“wild pomegranate flower”), so named because of resemblance to the swelling form of the half-open flower, from Ancient Greek ?????????? (balaústion), from Semitic (compare Aramaic balatz (“wild pomegranate flower”)).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?bæl.?.st?/

Noun

baluster (plural balusters)

1. (architecture)  A short column used in a group to support a rail, as commonly found on the side of a stairway; a banister. [from 17th c.]
   • 2004, Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty, Bloomsbury, 2005, Chapter 17 (i),

     Nick looked at the floor, and at the rhythm of the black-and-gilt S-shaped balusters.

Synonyms

• banister

Related terms

• balustrade

Translations

References

• James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928) , “Baluster”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volume I (A–B), London: Clarendon Press, OCLC 15566697, page 644, column 3.

Anagrams

• Albertus, Breaults, balustre, bluestar, rustable

English

Etymology

From Middle English bollard, probably from Middle English bole (“tree trunk”), equivalent to bole +? -ard (pejorative or diminutive suffix).

Pronunciation

• (rhotic) IPA^(key): /?b?l??d/
• (non-rhotic) IPA^(key): /?b?l??d/, /?b?l?d/

Noun

bollard (plural bollards)

1. (nautical) A strong vertical post of timber or iron, fixed to the ground and/or on the deck of a ship, to which the ship's mooring lines etc are secured.
2. A similar post preventing vehicle access to a pedestrian area, to delineate traffic lanes, or used for security purposes.

Derived terms

• bollard condition

Translations

See also

• (traffic bollard): cone