distaff
Use Distaff in a sentence
tæf, -tɑf noun
1.
a staff with a cleft end for holding wool, flax, etc., from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.
2.
a similar attachment on a spinning wheel.
3.
Archaic.
a.
a woman or women collectively.
b.
woman's work.
adjective
4.
Sometimes Offensive. noting, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable for a woman; female.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To distaff
00:10
Distaff
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
distaff (ˈdɪstɑːf) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the rod on which flax is wound preparatory to spinning |
| 2. | (modifier) of or concerning women: offensive to distaff members of the audience |
| [Old English distæf, from dis- bunch of flax + stæf | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
distaff
O.E. distæf "stick that holds flax for spinning," from dis- "bunch of flax" + stæf "stick, staff." A synonym in Eng. for "the female sex, female authority in the family," since at least the late 1400s, probably because in the Middle Ages spinning was typically done by women.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Easton
Bible Dictionary
Distaff definition
(Heb. pelek, a "circle"), the instrument used for twisting threads by a whirl (Prov. 31:19).
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Example sentences
Howbeit go to thy chamber and mind thine own housewiferies, the loom and distaff, and bid thy handmaids ply their tasks.
That, and the songs, should excite every distaff customer in the house and undoubtedly the gentlemen will go for it too.
So perhaps there is room for more sporting consideration from the distaff side.
It won't change, though, if the distaff side talks to themselves.
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