DISTAFF


Meaning of DISTAFF in English

I. ˈdis-ˌtaf noun

( plural distaffs -ˌtafs, -ˌtavz)

Etymology: Middle English distaf, from Old English distæf, from dis- (akin to Middle Low German dise bunch of flax) + stæf staff

Date: before 12th century

1.

a. : a staff for holding the flax, tow, or wool in spinning

b. : woman's work or domain

2. : the female branch or side of a family

[

distaff 1a D, and spindle S

]

II. adjective

Date: circa 1633

1. : maternal 2

the distaff side of the family

— compare spear

2. : female 1

distaff executives

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.