browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
distaves |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Distaff \Dis"taff\, n.; pl {Distaffs}, rarely {Distaves}. [OE. distaf, dysestafe AS distaef; cf LG diesse the bunch of flax on a distaff, and E. dizen. See {Staff}.] 1. The staff for holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand. I will the distaff hold come thou and spin. --Fairfax. 2. Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence a woman; women, collectively. His crown usurped, a distaff on the throne. --Dryden. Some say the crozier, some say the distaff was too busy. --Howell. Note: The plural is regular, but Distaves occurs in Beaumont & Fletcher. {Descent by distaff}, descent on the mother's side {Distaff Day}, or {Distaff's Day}, the morrow of the Epiphany, that is January 7, because working at the distaff was then resumed, after the Christmas festival; -- called also {Rock Day}, a distaff being called a rock. --Shipley.