/dis"taf, -tahf/ , n.
1. a staff with a cleft end for holding wool, flax, etc., from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.
2. a similar attachment on a spinning wheel.
3. Archaic.
a. a woman or women collectively.
b. woman's work.
adj.
4. Sometimes Offensive. noting, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable for a woman; female.
[ bef. 1000; ME distaf, OE distaef, equiv. to dis- (c. LG diesse bunch of flax on a distaff; cf. DIZEN) + staef STAFF ]