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Type of intrigue
Answer for the clue "Type of intrigue ", 10 letters:
backstairs
Alternative clues for the word backstairs
Word definitions for backstairs in dictionaries
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
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 ...
Wiktionary
Word definitions in Wiktionary
a. 1 secret or furtive. 2 scandalous. alt. 1 A staircase at the rear of a building or one normally only used by servants and tradesmen. 2 An indirect or furtive means of access or intercourse. n. 1 A staircase at the rear of a building or one normally only ...
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"stairs at the back of a structure," 1650s, from back (adj.) + stairs (see stair ). Figurative use is attested earlier (1640s).
WordNet
Word definitions in WordNet
adj. secret and sly or sordid; "backstairs gossip"; "his low backstairs cunning"- A.L.Guerard; "backstairs intimacies"; "furtive behavior" [syn: backstair , furtive ] n. a second staircase at the rear of a building
Usage examples of backstairs.
Not inclined to stop and chat, I took the backstairs down to the whitewashed lower hall, a long basement with shallow windows high in the walls bringing light from outside.
Everyone at this end of the long table was paying keen attention now, so I gave them all a bland smile and took the backstairs to the upper floors.
I carried the coffer between us, following Avila up the backstairs, sharing a puzzled look.
Gavrik was sitting on the high backstairs sill, leaning against the icy window on which danced blue sparks from the moon.
She was indebted to Miss Jane Buxted, who seemed to be unpleasantly addicted to backstairs gossip, for the information that Mrs.
England mortally cankered with social discontent were not grounded in a surprising familiarity with backstairs morale.
Except for occasional spells of depression he remained confident that he would achieve his goal - not by force and scarcely by winning a parliamentary majority, but by the means which had carried Schleicher and Papen to the top: by backstairs intrigue, a game that two could play.
He dressed and glanced at his baggage, decided to abandon it He walked down the backstairs, out the back way.
She did not hesitate long, just stayed only long enough to see that the fire burned well, then she went down the backstairs to the alley, where she stood and watched.
He wore a shiny top-hat and an expensive fur coat, and his neat morning coat, fine linen, unobtrusive black tie and pearl pin suggested the high finance rather than the backstairs of revolution.
The backstairs were dark and uncarpeted, and then they were in an alleyway which led to Clarges Street and thence to Piccadilly.
Inevitably when this kind of incident happened any hotel throbbed backstairs like a jungle telegraph.
Alec, opening the door and letting her enter before him, while Phebe was seen whisking down the backstairs with a dust-pan.
He sees Ann, sitting on the backstairs of what, as we draw closer, we see is the playhouse.
For some things said in his hearing were distinctly not pretty, and made one wonder if Prince Victor's deep-rooted confidence in an England mortally cankered with social discontent were not grounded in a surprising familiarity with backstairs morale.