baluster, balluster, ballister, + ballaster

[Fr. balaustre; Ital. ba laustro: Lat. balaustium; Gr. βαλαύστιον ( bal a ustion ) = a wild pomegranate flower, because the usual double-curved form of balusters somewhat resembles the shape of that flower.] In Architecture : 1. A small pilaster or column, often adorned with mouldings. It is usually made circular, and swelling towards the lower part. Rows of such balusters are often placed in the front of galleries in churches, on the outside of terraces and bridges, or to support rails on stairs. In the last case, the word is generally corrupted into banister [BANISTER], whilst a row of balusters constitutes a balustrade (q.v.). "Rayled with turned ballasters of free-stone."-Survey of Wimbled on (1649). (Archæol., vol. x., p. 404.) "This should first have been planched over, and railed about with balusters ." -Carew. "The use of the baluster was unknown to the ancients... Perhaps the most ancient are to be found in Italy, and it may be considered an invention which first appeared on the revival of the arts in that country."Chambers: Civil Architect . (ed. Gwilt), p. 322. 2. The lateral part of the volute of an Ionic capital. ( Gwilt .)