adjective. Furtively carried on; clandestine.

noun. 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.

adjective. Private; indirect; secret; conducted with secrecy; intriguing; -- as if finding access by the back stairs.

noun. A staircase at the rear of a building or one normally only used by servants and tradesmen.

noun. An indirect or furtive means of access or intercourse.

adjective. Secret or furtive.

adjective. Scandalous.

noun. a second staircase at the rear of a building

adjective. secret and sly or sordid

"The road to eminence lay by the "backstairs," the atmosphere of which he could not endure."

front stairs  

back stairs  backstair  covert  

staircase  stairway  

back-door  backstair  clandestine  covert  feline