distaff

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will the distaff hold; come thou and spin. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a woman; women, collectively. [ 1913 Webster ]

His crown usurped, a distaff on the throne. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some say the crozier, some say the distaff was too busy. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The plural is regular, but Distaves occurs in Beaumont & Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]