noun
distaff
Distaff (noun) means a tool that holds a bundle of fibres such as wool or flax so they can be pulled off little by little and spun into thread.
noun
1
A tool that holds a bundle of fibres such as wool or flax so they can be pulled off little by little and spun into thread.
2
The part of a spinning wheel from which fibre is drawn to be spun.
3
(dated) Something traditionally seen as belonging to women, or done only by them.
4
A horse race that only female horses can enter.
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Etymology
From Middle English distaf (“distaff”), from Old English distæf (“distaff”), from *dis- (“bunch of flax”) (cognate with Middle Low German dise (“bunch of flax on a distaff”)) + stæf (“staff”) (from Proto-Germanic *stabaz (“staff, stick”), from Proto-Indo-European *stebʰ-). Senses 3 and 5 (“anything traditionally done by or considered of importance to women only”; “a woman, or women considered as a group”) refer to the fact that spinning was traditionally done by women.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of distaff?
"distaff" (noun) means a tool that holds a bundle of fibres such as wool or flax so they can be pulled off little by little and spun into thread.
What are the different meanings of distaff?
"distaff" has 3 main meanings: 1. A tool that holds a bundle of fibres such as wool or flax so they can be pulled off little by little and spun into thread; 2. The part of a spinning wheel from which fibre is drawn to be spun; 3. (dated) Something traditionally seen as belonging to women, or done only by them.
