'Descent by distaff' definitions:

Definition of 'Descent by distaff'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [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]
  • Note: 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]