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Word: distaff (lookup usage) (lookup stats)


Meaning:

Adjective:

  • of, relating to, or characteristic of women
  • referring to the maternal side of a family

Source: Wiktionary | Src Info »

Noun:

  • a device to which a bundle of natural fibres (often wool, flax, or cotton) are attached for temporary storage, before being drawn off gradually to spin thread. A traditional distaff is a staff with flax fibres tied loosely to it (see Etymology), but modern distaffs are often made of cords weighted with beads, and attached to the wrist.
  • anything traditionally done by or considered of importance to women only
  • the part of a spinning wheel from which fibre is drawn to be spun
  • women considered as a group

Source: Wiktionary | Src Info »