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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Backstairs \Back"stairs`\, Back stairs \Back" stairs`\
(b[a^]k"st[^a]rz`) 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 or indirect way.
[1913 Webster WordNet 1.5] Backstairs


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 quiet(predicate), secret, subterranean,
surreptitious, undercover, underground.
[1913 Webster WordNet 1.5]

A backstairs influence. --Burke.
[1913 Webster]

Female caprice and backstair influence.
--Trevelyan.
[1913 Webster]