distaff

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

• 🇷🇺Устаревшее прилагательное, относящееся к женщинам или женской стороне семьи; исторически связанное с женским трудом, особенно прядением.

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.

   🇷🇺Женский

   Synonyms: femalefemininematernalwomanly

   Antonyms: 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.

• 🇷🇺Существительное, обозначающее палку или стержень, используемый для прядения шерсти или льна, в настоящее время в значительной степени устаревшее в современном контексте.

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.

   🇷🇺Прялка

   Synonyms: 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.

   🇷🇺Женская линия

   Antonyms: spearsword

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