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dis·taff
 distaff
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- pronunciation:
- dI
staef
- parts of speech:
- noun, adjective
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun)
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a staff with one cleft end to hold the material from which thread is drawn in spinning by hand or on a spinning wheel.
She gently pulled more wool from the distaff and let it spin round on the spindle. |
| definition 2: |
(old-fashioned) women as a whole, or the traditional sphere and concerns of women.
He'd been in male company nearly all his life and had little knowledge of the distaff. |
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| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition: |
(old-fashioned) denoting, pertaining to, characteristic of, or fit for females.
The gene is passed down on the distaff side of the family.Distaff members of the club have separate facilities. |
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