distaff

An archaic adjective relating to women or the female side of a family; historically associated with women's work, particularly spinning.

• 🇩🇪Veraltetes Adjektiv, das sich auf Frauen oder die weibliche Seite einer Familie bezieht; historisch mit weiblicher Arbeit, besonders dem Spinnen, verbunden.

1. Relating to women or female line C2 formal

   Of or relating to women, the female side of a family, or traditionally female activities.

   • The distaff side of the family traces back to the 18th century.
   • She inherited the property through the distaff line.
   • Distaff traditions were passed down through generations of women.

   🇩🇪Weiblich

   Synonyme: femalefemininematernalwomanly

   Antonyme: malemasculinepaternal

• more distaff comparative form
• most distaff superlative form

A noun referring to a stick or staff used in spinning wool or flax, now largely obsolete in modern contexts.

• 🇩🇪Ein Stock oder Stab, der beim Spinnen von Wolle oder Flachs verwendet wird; heute weitgehend veraltet im modernen Kontext.

1. Spinning tool C2 formal

   A stick or staff used in spinning wool or flax, from which the fibers are drawn.

   • She held the distaff in her left hand while spinning.
   • The distaff was a common tool in medieval households.
   • He found an antique distaff in the attic.

   🇩🇪Spinnrocken

   Synonyme: rock

2. Women's side of the family C2 formal

   The female branch of a family or the maternal line.

   • The inheritance came from the distaff side of the family.
   • Her distaff ancestors were weavers in Scotland.
   • The family history on the distaff side is well documented.

   🇩🇪weibliche Linie

   Antonyme: spearsword

• distaffs plural form
• distaffs' possessive plural form
• distaff's possessive singular form