Backstairs — Defs

01 n. Stairs in the back part of a house, as distinguished from the front stairs; a second staircase at the rear of a building; hence, a private …

1.
Stairs in the back part of a house, as distinguished from the front stairs; a second staircase at the rear of a building; hence, a private or indirect way.

02 a. Private; indirect; secret; conducted with secrecy; intriguing; -- as if finding access by the back stairs; as, backstairs gossip.

1.
Private; indirect; secret; conducted with secrecy; intriguing; -- as if finding access by the back stairs; as, backstairs gossip.
“A backstairs influence.” — Burke.

“Female caprice and backstair influence.” — Trevelyan.