distaff

• Adjectif désignant ce qui relève des femmes ou de la lignée féminine, notamment du côté maternel ; historiquement lié au travail des femmes, en particulier au filage.

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

1. Relating to women or female lineC2formal

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

   Côté féminin (d'une famille)

   • 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.

   Synonymesfemalefemininematernalwomanly

   Antonymesmalemasculinepaternal

• Nom désignant un bâton ou une tige utilisé pour filer la laine ou le lin, terme aujourd'hui largement désuet dans le contexte moderne. Il peut aussi désigner le côté féminin ou maternel d'une famille, par extension généalogique.

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

1. Spinning toolC2formal

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

   Quenouille (outil de filage)

   • 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.

   Synonymesrock

2. Women's side of the familyC2formal

   The female branch of a family or the maternal line.

   côté maternel

   • 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.

   Antonymesspearsword