Etymology

Adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of women
2. referring to the maternal side of a family

Antonyms

• (of, relating to, or characteristic of women): male, paternal, spear

Noun

1. a device to which a bundle of natural fibres (often wool, flax, or cotton) are attached for temporary storage, before being drawn off gradually to spin thread. A traditional distaff is a staff with flax fibres tied loosely to it (see Etymology), but modern distaffs are often made of cords weighted with beads, and attached to the wrist.
2. the part of a spinning wheel from which fibre is drawn to be spun
3. anything traditionally done by or considered of importance to women only
4. women considered as a group