distaff
distaff
Definition
dis·taff (dis′taf′)
noun
- a staff on which fibers, as flax or wool, are wound before being spun into thread
- woman's work or concerns
- Archaic woman, or women in general
Etymology: ME distaf < OE distæf < dis-, flax (see dizen) + stæf, staff
adjective
female; specif., designating the maternal side of a family
distaff
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- hold: The woman kneeling at Michael's feet holds a distaff and a white garment, which she holds out as an offering.
Modifies a noun
- side: Kidney is a Van Vliet on the distaff side, or a less hung up David Byrne.
Browse dictionary entries near distaff
- Dist Atty
- dist
- dissymmetry
- dissyllable
- dissuasive
- dissuasion
- dissuade
- dissonant
- dissonance
- dissolvent
- distain
- distal
- distance
- distance learning
- distance-vector routing protocol
- distant
- distantiate
- distaste
- distasteful
- distemper
