distaff

UK: /ˈdɪstɑːf/ US: (dis′taf, -täf )

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•taff  (dis′taf, -täf ), n. 

1. Textiles a staff with a cleft end for holding wool, flax, etc., from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.
2. Textiles a similar attachment on a spinning wheel.
3. Sex and Gender [Archaic.]
   • a woman or women collectively.
   • woman's work.

adj. 

4. Sex and Gender [Sometimes Offensive.] noting, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable for a woman;
   female.

• bef. 1000; Middle English distaf, Old English distæf, equivalent. to dis- (cognate with Low German diesse bunch of flax on a distaff; compare dizen) + stæf staff

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

distaff / ˈdɪstɑːf/ noun

1. the rod on which flax is wound preparatory to spinning
2. (modifier) of or concerning women

Etymology: Old English distæf, from dis- bunch of flax + stæf staff¹; see dizen