distaff side
the female side of a family (opposed to spear side).
Origin of distaff side
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use distaff side in a sentence
Though they do say that the Cawdors have gipsy blood on the distaff side.
A Tatter of Scarlet | S. R. CrockettThe jug descended in a Sussex County, Delaware, family—on the distaff side, curiously.
North Devon Pottery and Its Export to America in the 17th Century | C. Malcolm WatkinsAunt Catherine's children were members of the family only on the distaff side, and so were of less importance.
Royal Highness | Thomas MannThe sovereign profession among bees and ants is always female, and publicans also descend on the distaff side.
The Crock of Gold | James StephensThey inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the distaff side.
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | A. Conan Doyle
British Dictionary definitions for distaff side
the female side or branch of a family: Compare spear side
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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