in spinning, a staff for holding the flax, wool, etc that is to be spun
woman's work or domain
I must change arms at home and give the distaff into my husband's hands — Shakespeare
the female side of a family; = distaff side
The crown of France never falls to the distaff — Edward Phillips
[Old English distæf, from dis- (related to Middle Low German dise bunch of flax) + stæf staff1]