Webster's English Dictionary

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distaff

1. dis.taff \'dis-.taf\ \-.tafs, -.tavz\ n or distaffs [ME distaf, fr. OE 
   distf, fr. dis- (akin to MLG d] pl ise bunch of flax) + stf staff 
   1a: a staff for holding the flax, tow, or wool in spinning  1b: woman's 
   work or domain  2: the female branch or side of a family 
2. distaff aj : FEMALE