Associations to the word «Distaff»

Wiktionary

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. A woman, or women considered as a group
DISTAFF, adjective. Of, relating to, or characteristic of women
DISTAFF, adjective. Referring to the maternal side of a family
DISTAFF DAY, noun. 7 January, the day after the feast of the Epiphany.
DISTAFF SIDE, noun. The female or maternal branch of a family

Dictionary definition

DISTAFF, noun. The sphere of work by women.
DISTAFF, noun. The staff on which wool or flax is wound before spinning.
DISTAFF, adjective. Characteristic of or peculiar to a woman; "female sensitiveness"; "female suffrage".

Wise words

A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged; it is the skin of a living thought and may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and time in which it is used.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.