Balustrade

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ËŒbæl.əˈstreɪd/
• US IPA: /ˈbæl.É™.streɪd/
• Rhymes: -eɪd

Origin

From French balustrade, from Italian balaustrata ("with balusters"), from balaustro ("baluster"), from balausta ("wild pomegranate flower"), via Latin balaustium, from Ancient Greek βαλαύστιον, from Semitic (compare Aramaic balatz 'wild pomegranate flower'). So named because of resemblance to the swelling form of the half-open pomegranate flower. Also see baluster.

Full definition of balustrade

Noun

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.
• 1956 — Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, p 45The Jester sat down on one of the marble balustrades and regarded Alvin with a curious intentness.

Hypernyms

• parapet

Related terms

• baluster