n. [ OE. steir, steyer, AS. st&aemacr_;ger, from stīgan to ascend, rise. √164. See Sty to ascend. ] 1. One step of a series for ascending or descending to a different level; -- commonly applied to those within a building. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A series of steps, as for passing from one story of a house to another; -- commonly used in the plural; but originally used in the singular only. “I a winding stair found.” Chaucer's Dream. [ 1913 Webster ]

Below stairs, in the basement or lower part of a house, where the servants are. --
Flight of stairs, the stairs which make the whole ascent of a story. --
Pair of stairs, a set or flight of stairs. -- pair, in this phrase, having its old meaning of a set. See Pair, n., 1. --
Run of stairs (Arch.), a single set of stairs, or section of a stairway, from one platform to the next. --
Stair rod, a rod, usually of metal, for holding a stair carpet to its place. --
Up stairs. See Upstairs in the Vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A flight of stairs with their supporting framework, casing, balusters, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

To make a complete staircase is a curious piece of architecture. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Staircase shell. (Zool.) (a) Any scalaria, or wentletrap. (b) Any species of Solarium, or perspective shell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The head or top of a staircase. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A flight of stairs or steps; a staircase. “A rude and narrow stairway.” Moore. [ 1913 Webster ]