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n. 1. a. A staff that holds on its cleft end the unspun flax, wool, or tow from which thread is drawn in spinning by hand. b. An attachment for a spinning wheel that serves this purpose. 2. Work and concerns traditionally considered important to women. 3. Women considered as a group. adj. 1. Of or relating to women and girls; female. 2. Relating to or being the female line or maternal branch of a family. [Middle English distaf, from Old English distæf : dis-, bunch of flax; akin to Middle Dutch disen, to prepare a distaff with flax; see DIZEN + stæf, staff.]  (click for a larger image) distaffdistaff with unspun wool and spindle with spun wool |
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