| 释义 |
dis·taff
I. \ˈdiˌsta]f, -taa(ə)], -tai], -tȧ]\ noun
(plural distaffs \]fs, ]vz\)
Etymology: Middle English distaf, from Old English distæf, from dis- bunch of flax (akin to Middle Low German dise bunch of flax on a distaff) + stæf staff — more at dizen, staff
1.
a. : a staff for holding the bunch of flax, tow, or wool from which thread is drawn in spinning by hand or with the spinning wheel
b. : woman's work, authority, or domain
< a man fitter for the distaff than for war >
2.
a. archaic : woman, female; especially : a female heir
b. : the mother's side of a family
< tracing their descent by distaff >
— compare sword side
 [distaff 1a]
II. adjective
: of or relating to a woman : female
< cooking, sewing, and such distaff matters >
< distaff applicants must be high-school graduates — Springfield (Massachusetts) Daily News >
< a golf swing that is the distaff counterpart of the male champion's >
< the entries in the golf tournament were largely on the distaff side >
especially : consisting of, derived from, or related to the mother or female line
< the distaff side of the family >
< the distaff branch of a family >
— compare spear |