'Banister' definitions:

Definition of 'banister'

From: WordNet
noun
A railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling [syn: bannister, banister, balustrade, balusters, handrail]

Definition of 'Banister'

From: GCIDE
  • Banister \Ban"is*ter\, n. [A corruption of baluster.]
  • 1. A baluster. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (sing. or pl.) The balustrade of a staircase. Formerly used in this sense mostly in the plural, now mostly in the singular. [Also spelled bannister.] [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • He struggled to ascend the pulpit stairs, holding hard on the banisters. --Sir W. Scott.

Definition of 'banister'

From: GCIDE
  • Baluster \Bal"us*ter\, n. [F. balustre, It. balaustro, fr. L. balaustium the flower of the wild pomegranate, fr. Gr. balay`stion; -- so named from the similarity of form.] (Arch.) A small column or pilaster, used as a support to the rail of an open parapet, to guard the side of a staircase, or the front of a gallery. See Balustrade. [Corrupted into banister.] [1913 Webster]