Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Backstairs

adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Secret or furtive.

    "[…] if some peers (I am very sorry they are not as many as they ought to be) set themselves, in the great concern of peers and commons, against a back-stairs influence and clandestine government, then the alarm begins; then the constitution is in danger of being forced into an aristocracy."

  2. 2
    Scandalous.
Adjective
  1. 1
    secret and sly or sordid wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A staircase at the rear of a building or one normally only used by servants and tradesmen. plural, plural-only

    "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."

  2. 2
    a second staircase at the rear of a building wordnet
  3. 3
    An indirect or furtive means of access or intercourse. plural, plural-only

    "The straight-forward course, they say, would be to proclaim outright, instead of trying to bring it in by the backstairs."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From back + stairs.

Etymology 2

From back + stairs.

See also for "backstairs"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: backstairs