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distaff

/ˈdɪstɑːf/ /ˈdɪstæf/

Meanings
noun
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.

Examples :

"Sitting by the fire, Grandma used the distaff to hold the wool as she spun it into yarn on her spinning wheel. "
device utensil tradition material agriculture history work industry

Related Words

Illustration traditionally

traditionally adverb

/tɹəˈdɪʃənli/

In a traditional manner.

"My family traditionally celebrates birthdays with a big meal. "

Illustration representation

representation noun

/ˌɹɛp.ɹə.zɛn.ˈteɪ.ʃən/

That which represents something else.

"The Venus of Willendorf was an early representation of the female body."

Illustration considered

considered verb

/kənˈsɪdəd/ /kənˈsɪdɚd/

To think about seriously.

"Consider that we’ve had three major events and the year has hardly begun."

Illustration university

university noun

/juːnɪˈvɜːsətiː/ /junɨˈvɝsəti/

Institution of higher education (typically accepting students from the age of about 17 or 18, depending on country, but in some exceptional cases able to take younger students) where subjects are studied and researched in depth and degrees are offered.

"My older sister is attending university to study engineering. "

Illustration importance

importance noun

/ɪmˈpɔːtəns/ /ɪmˈpɔɹtəns/

The quality or condition of being important or worthy of note.

"Attending all your classes is of great importance to your success in school. "

Illustration thoroughbreds

thoroughbreds noun

/ˈθʌroʊˌbɹɛdz/ /ˈθɝːoʊˌbɹɛdz/

A horse of a breed derived from crosses between Arabian stallions and English mares, bred for racing. (usually capitalized: Thoroughbred.)

"The wealthy family owned several expensive Thoroughbreds, which they raced every summer. "

Illustration characteristic

characteristic noun

/ˌkæɹəktəˈɹɪstɪk/ /ˌkɛɹəktəˈɹɪstɪk/

A distinguishing feature of a person or thing.

"The characteristic smell of freshly baked bread always reminds me of my grandmother's kitchen. "

Illustration specifically

specifically adverb

/spəˈsɪf.ɪk.li/

In a specific manner, applying to or naming a particular thing or things, expressly, explicitly

"My teacher explained the new math formula specifically for students in the advanced class. "

Illustration traditional

traditional noun

/tɹəˈdɪʃnəl/

A person with traditional beliefs.

"My grandmother is a traditional, believing strongly in family values. "

Illustration represented

represented verb

/ɹɛpɹɪˈzɛntɪd/

To present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify.

"The artist's painting represented the beauty of the sunset over the ocean. "

Illustration challenging

challenging verb

/ˈtʃæləndʒɪŋ/

To invite (someone) to take part in a competition.

"We challenged the boys next door to a game of football."

Illustration scholarship

scholarship noun

/ˈskɒləʃɪp/ /ˈskɑːləɹʃɪp/

A grant-in-aid to a student.

"My younger sister received a scholarship to attend the university. "