The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Backstairs — Back stairs , Backstair Back stair , a. Private; indirect; secret; conducted with secrecy; intriguing; as if finding access by the back stairs; as, backstairs gossip. Syn: clandestine, cloak and dagger, hugger mugger, hush hush, on the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
backstairs — stairs at the back of a structure, 1650s, from BACK (Cf. back) (adj.) + stairs (see STAIR (Cf. stair)). Figurative use is attested earlier (1640s) … Etymology dictionary
backstairs — [bak′sterz΄] adj. involving intrigue or scandal; secret: also backstair … English World dictionary
backstairs — adjective Date: 1663 1. secret, furtive < backstairs political deals > 2. sordid, scandalous < backstairs gossip > … New Collegiate Dictionary
backstairs — /bak stairz /, adj. 1. associated or originating with household servants. 2. secret, underhanded, or scandalous: backstairs gossip. Also, backstair. [1635 45; adj. use of BACK STAIRS] * * * … Universalium
backstairs — back|stairs [ ,bæk sterz ] adjective INFORMAL secret and usually dishonest or illegal: backstairs deals among politicians … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
backstairs — adjective (only before noun) secret and probably unfair: backstairs influence … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
backstairs — UK [ˈbækˌsteə(r)z] / US [ˌbækˈsterz] adjective informal secret and usually dishonest or illegal backstairs deals … English dictionary
backstairs — back•stairs [[t]ˈbækˈstɛərz[/t]] also back′stair′ adj. secret, underhanded, or scandalous: backstairs gossip[/ex] • Etymology: 1635–45 … From formal English to slang
backstairs — noun /bækˈstɛəz/ (say bak stairz) 1. a secondary staircase, originally for servants. –adjective /ˈbækstɛəz/ (say bakstairz) Also, backstair. 2. indirect; underhand; clandestine: backstairs gossip …
