Distaffs [adjective]

Behind the bride were carried the distaff and spindle, emblems of domestic life.

A beautiful young girl was seated near them, with her distaff, spinning gold thread.

In the morning she took her wheel and spun a whole distaff full; there was still no news.

The invention of the loom and distaff has been piously ascribed to the gods.

The ancients were all familiar with the idea of women sometimes exchanging the spindle and distaff for the spear and shield.

The expressed juice and decoction are also used by the natives as a distaff.

Maid-servants followed with a distaff and wool, intimating that she was to spin as matrons formerly did.

The major's sister had at the same time a distaff which often spun yarn for her without any one handling it.

If such workers had not fastened a book to the distaff, insanity would surely have set in.

An early application of this idea is to be found in the practice of spinning with distaff and whorl.