dis
taff
Plural
distaffs
1
a tool used in spinning to hold unspun fibers, such as wool or flax, keeping them untangled and ready for drawing into yarn
A distaff is a tool used in spinning to hold and feed fibers into the spinning wheel or spindle. It is a rod that keeps the fibers organized and untangled while they are being spun into yarn. The distaff helps to maintain a steady flow of fiber, making the spinning process more efficient and manageable. It is commonly used in traditional spinning and is an important accessory for creating yarn.
- She tucked the flax into her distaff before beginning to spin.
- The distaff was carved from ash wood and passed down through generations.
- In traditional spinning, the distaff kept fibers neatly aligned.
- The spinner balanced the distaff against her shoulder as she worked.
- A distaff and spindle were essential tools in every cottage.
2
the domain of women's roles, labor, or lineage, especially domestic or familial responsibilities
- The distaff was long confined to domestic labor and caregiving.
- Literature often ignored the distaff, focusing instead on male heroism.
- The distaff played a crucial role in shaping cultural memory.
- In that society, the distaff held quiet but enduring power.
- The historian devoted her research to the distaff and its contributions.