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distaff definition

dis·taff (dis′taf′)

noun

  1. a staff on which fibers, as flax or wool, are wound before being spun into thread
  2. woman's work or concerns
  3. 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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