distaff

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++dis·taff /ˈdɪstɑːf $ -stæf/ noun [countable]  a stick, used in the past for spinning wool 〔旧时纺羊毛纱用的〕纺纱杆，绕线杆

Examples from the Corpus

distaff• The wool was wound on a long stick called a distaff.• She is associated with a bridge, a subterranean aqueduct and a magic distaff, one of the symbols of Athene.• Men who did not take the cross received gifts of distaff and wool, implying that they were no better than women.• She adjusted the loose threads in one hand and held the distaff in the other.• Made curious, she took the distaff in her hand and began to draw out the thread.• The distaff whirled, twisting the threads.

dis·taff nounChineseSyllable  

past stick, in spinning Corpus wool a for the used

distaff
dis‧taff /ˈdɪstɑːf $ -stæf/ noun [countable]
a stick, used in the past for spinning wool

dis·taffBrE /ˈdɪstɑːf/ 🔊NAmE /ˈdɪstæf/ 🔊 nouna stick that was used in the past for holding wool when it was spun by hand （旧时手工纺纱用的）纺纱杆，绕线杆●on the distaff side(old-fashioned) on the woman's side of the family 母方家族的；母系的