Backstairs

Alternative forms

• back stairs

Full definition of backstairs

Noun

1. A staircase at the rear of a building or one normally only used by servants and tradesmen.
2. An indirect or furtive means of access or intercourse.
• 1934, March 27, De Valera Move Hits Dignity Of Governor-General, The straight-forward course, they say, would be to proclaim outright, instead of trying to bring it in by the backstairs.

Adjective

1. Secret or furtive.
• unknown date, Edmund BurkeA backstairs influence
• unknown date TrevelyanFemale caprice and backstairs influence.
2. Scandalous.

Synonyms

• backstair