Definition of distaff Distaff

dis•taff

We found 10 definitions of distaff from 5 different sources.

What does distaff mean?

Noun Plural: distafves
distaff - the staff on which wool or flax is wound before spinning
		staff a strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose; "he walked with the help of a wooden staff"
distaff - the sphere of work by women
		arena, domain, orbit, area, sphere, field a playing field where sports events take place

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distaff (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.
distaff (Noun)
The part of a spinning wheel from which fibre is drawn to be spun.
distaff (Noun)
Anything traditionally done by or considered of importance to women only.
distaff (Noun)
Women considered as a group.

distaff (n.)
The staff for holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.
distaff (n.)
Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a woman; women, collectively.

distaff
dis′taf, n. the stick which holds the bunch of flax, tow, or wool in spinning.—Distaff side, the female part of a family. [A.S. distæf, from dise = Low Ger. diesse, the bunch of flax on the staff; and stæf = Eng. staff. See Dizen.]