Distaff /(?)/

Dis·taff

Distaff

n.

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.
  2. Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a woman; women, collectively.
    His crown usurped, a distaff on the throne.
    Some say the crozier, some say the distaff was too busy.

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.