distaff

• So I will lay my hand to the distaff, as the virtuous woman did of old—Yesterday was very bad weather, neither aunt, nor niece at publick worship. —  The Project Gutenberg eBook of Diary of Anna Green Winslow, by Anna Green Winslow
• I have been a connoisseur of distaff limbs since adolescence Of what limbs The distaff is a long staff for holding wool, flax, or other fibrous material, from which the thread is drawn out when spinning by hand. —  Roc and a Hard Place
• Michael Fassbender was named British actor of the year - an interesting decision since the German-born actor counts himself an Irishman - and Kristin Scott Thomas was named the distaff equivalent for her turn in the French drama I've Loved You So Long. —  Film | guardian.co.uk
• The distaff was a larger, stouter stick, around one end of which the material to be spun was wound in a loose ball. —  Textiles For Commercial, Industrial, and Domestic Arts Schools; Also Adapted to Those Engaged in Wholesale and Retail Dry Goods, Wool, Cotton, and Dressmaker's Trades
• With the spindle a distaff was used. —  Textiles For Commercial, Industrial, and Domestic Arts Schools; Also Adapted to Those Engaged in Wholesale and Retail Dry Goods, Wool, Cotton, and Dressmaker's Trades

Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

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