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distaff noun

  /ˈdɪstæf/ , /ˈdɪstɑːf/
  • A device to which a bundle of natural fibres (often wool, flax, or cotton) are attached for temporary storage, before being drawn off gradually to spin thread. A traditional distaff is a staff with flax fibres tied loosely to it (as indicated by the etymology of the word), but modern distaffs are often made of cords weighted with beads, and attached to the wrist.
  • The part of a spinning wheel from which fibre is drawn to be spun.
 quenouille
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