backstairs
or back·stair
associated or originating with household servants: Weak tea and burnt toast evidenced the start of a backstairs revolt.
secret, underhanded, or scandalous: backstairs gossip.
Origin of backstairs
1Words Nearby backstairs
Other definitions for back stairs (2 of 2)
stairs at the back of a house, as for use by servants.
a means of intrigue.
Origin of back stairs
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use backstairs in a sentence
Which means that every seat contains someone who is reclining straight into the lap of their backstairs neighbor.
You ought to employ a few supple Politiques, accustomed to palace backstairs.
The White Plumes of Navarre | Samuel Rutherford CrockettKeep a good heart, even if you have to knock in vain at many doors, and kick about the backstairs of the house of letters.
My First Book: | VariousNevertheless, Comstock neglected no chance to apply his backstairs pressure to the members of both Houses.
A Book of Prefaces | H. L. MenckenThe minister was pleased that this man did not try to get in by backstairs influence, but came direct by the front entrance.
Timar's Two Worlds | Mr Jkai
The explanation was Madam Hermansen, who had the backstairs entry of every house in Knarreby.
Egholm and his God | Johannes Buchholtz
British Dictionary definitions for backstairs
/ (ˈbækˈstɛəz) /
a secondary staircase in a house, esp one originally for the use of servants
underhand: backstairs gossip
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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