balaustra

balustrade, banister

noun bah-lah-OO-strah Rare

Origin: From Italian balaustro, ultimately from Greek balaustion (pomegranate flower), referring to the shape.

Usage Note

Balaustra (also balaustrata) refers to the full railing assembly of balusters and top rail, as seen on staircases, terraces, and bridges. A single post in the row is a balaustro (masculine). The term is mainly architectural and is rarely used colloquially.

Examples

"La balaustra del terrazzo è in marmo bianco."

Natural Translation

The terrace balustrade is in white marble.

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