Backstairs
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Backstairs is a noun meaning A staircase at the rear of a building or one normally only used by servants and tradesmen.
Meaning
A staircase at the rear of a building or one normally only used by servants and tradesmen.
More Meanings
- An indirect or furtive means of access or intercourse.
- Secret or furtive.
- Scandalous.
Example Sentences
This backstairs visit was all about sex […]
The straight-forward course, they say, would be to proclaim outright, instead of trying to bring it in by the backstairs.
Here I diſcovered the ſecret Cauſes of many great Events that have ſurprized the World, how a Whore can govern the Back-ſtairs, the Back-ſtairs a Council, and the Council a Senate.
1905, Ernest William Hornung, “The Spoils of Sacrilege” in A Thief in the Night, Other feet were already in the lower flight of the backstairs; but the upper flight was the one for me, and in an instant we were racing along the upper corridor […]
Word Forms
- back-stairs
Synonyms for backstairs
Depending on context, synonyms include backstair, furtive, covert.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include covert, furtive, understairs, houseback, back-house, forestair.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.