balustrade

Etymology

Borrowed from French balustrade, from Italian balaustrata (“with balusters”), from balaustro (“baluster”), from balausta (“wild pomegranate flower”), via Latin balaustium, from Ancient Greek βαλαύστιον (balaústion), from Semitic (compare Aramaic [script needed] (balatz, “wild pomegranate flower”)). So named because of resemblance to the swelling form of the half-open pomegranate flower. Also see baluster.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌbæl.əˈstɹeɪd/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈbæl.ə.stɹeɪd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪd

Noun

balustrade (plural balustrades)

1. (architecture) A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.
   • 1820, John Keats, "Isabell; or, The Pot of Basil", XXIII:

     as he leant

     Into the sun-rise, o’er the balustrade ...

   • 1956, Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, p 45

     The Jester sat down on one of the marble balustrades and regarded Alvin with a curious intentness.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ba.lys.tʁad/

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

balustrade f (plural balustrades)

1. balustrade

Noun

balustrade f (plural balustrades)

1. (Jersey, architecture) balustrade