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backstairs

or back·stair

[ bak-stairz ]
/ ˈbækˈstɛərz /
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adjective
associated or originating with household servants: Weak tea and burnt toast evidenced the start of a backstairs revolt.
secret, underhanded, or scandalous: backstairs gossip.
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Origin of backstairs

First recorded in 1635–45; adjective use of back stairs

Words nearby backstairs

backsplice, backstab, back-stabbing, back staff, backstage, backstairs, backstay, backstitch, backstop, backstory, back straight

Other definitions for backstairs (2 of 2)

back stairs
noun
stairs at the back of a house, as for use by servants.
a means of intrigue.

Origin of back stairs

First recorded in 1620–30
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to backstairs

classified, confidential, covert, furtive, hush-hush, restricted, secretive, surreptitious, enigmatic, reticent, taciturn, backdoor, close, inside, sneak, camouflaged, clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, cryptic, discreet

How to use backstairs in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for backstairs

backstairs
/ (ˈbækˈstɛəz) /
pl n
a secondary staircase in a house, esp one originally for the use of servants
adjective Also: backstair
underhandbackstairs 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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