backstairs

• ⇰ Stairs in the back part of a house, as distinguished from the <contr>front stairs</contr>; a second staircase at the rear of a building; hence, a private or indirect way.

• ⇰ Private; indirect; secret; conducted with secrecy; intriguing; -- as if finding access by the back stairs; <as>as, <ex>backstairs</ex> gossip</as>.