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Distaff
01
a tool used in spinning to hold unspun fibers, such as wool or flax, keeping them untangled and ready for drawing into yarn
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
distaffs
What is a "distaff"?
A distaff is a tool used in spinning to hold and feed fibers into the spinning wheel or spindle. It is a rod that keeps the fibers organized and untangled while they are being spun into yarn. The distaff helps to maintain a steady flow of fiber, making the spinning process more efficient and manageable. It is commonly used in traditional spinning and is an important accessory for creating yarn.
Examples
She tucked the flax into her distaff before beginning to spin.
02
the domain of women's roles, labor, or lineage, especially domestic or familial responsibilities
Examples
The distaff was long confined to domestic labor and caregiving.
distaff
01
relating to women in general
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
relational
ungradable
Examples
The distaff relatives gathered for the annual reunion.
