Definition of "well-staircase" [well-staircase]

• A staircase forming or built around a well or well-hole. See well, n., 5 . (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "Miss Joliffe and Anastasia had between them carried the portmanteau up the great well-staircase of stone, which ran from top to bottom of the house."
• "He lit a candle and went down, down the great well-staircase where the stone steps echoed under his feet."
• "He rang his bell with reluctance, and when he did so, often went out on to the landing and shouted directions down the well-staircase, in the hopes of sparing any unnecessary climbing of the great nights of stone steps."