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distaff

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(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

Origin: ME distaf < OE distæf < dis-, flax (see dizen) + stæf, staff

adjective

female; specif., designating the maternal side of a family

See distaff in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A staff that holds on its cleft end the unspun flax, wool, or tow from which thread is drawn in spinning by hand.
b. An attachment for a spinning wheel that serves this purpose.
Work and concerns traditionally considered important to women.
Women considered as a group.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English distaf

Origin: , from Old English distǽf

Origin: : dis-, bunch of flax

Origin: + stǽf, staff

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