Definition of Distaff
Dis´taff
n.
1.
The
staff
for
holding
a
bunch
of
flax
,
tow
,
or
wool
,
from
which
the
thread
is
drawn
in
spinning
by
hand
.
I
will
the
distaff
hold
;
come
thou
and
spin
.
- Fairfax.
2.
Used
as
a
symbol
of
the
holder
of
a
distaff
;
hence
,
a
woman
;
women
,
collectively
.
His
crown
usurped
,
a
distaff
on
the
throne
.
- Dryden.
Some
say
the
crozier
,
some
say
the
distaff
was
too
busy
.
- Howell.
Descent by distaff
descent
on
the
mother
'
s
side
.
Distaff Day
the
morrow
of
the
Epiphany
,
that
is
,
January
7
,
because
working
at
the
distaff
was
then
resumed
,
after
the
Christmas
festival
; -
called
also
Rock Day
,
a
distaff
being
called
a
rock
.
- Shipley.
Related Words
female
,
feminine
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