\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.
         I will the distaff hold; come thou and spin.
                                               --Fairfax.
2. Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a
   woman; women, collectively.
         His crown usurped, a distaff on the throne.
                                               --Dryden.
         Some say the crozier, some say the distaff was too
         busy.                                 --Howell.
Note: The plural is regular, but Distaves occurs in Beaumont
      & Fletcher.
{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.