backstairs

& a. [Eng. back; stairs.] A. As substantive: 1. Lit .: Stairs at the back of a house, whether inside of it or outside. Used specially of the private stairs in a palace or mansion, as distinguished from the state or grand staircase. 2. Fig .: Circuitous, and perhaps not very reputable means of benefiting a friend or gaining a personal object. B. As adjective ( fig .): Conducted by the route of the backstairs; tortuous, not straightforward. [BACKSTAIRS-INFLUENCE.]