Distaff — Defs

01 n. The staff for holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.

pl. Distaffs, Distaves ((#))

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.

Phrases & compounds

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.