distaff background

distaff

/ˈdɪstɑːf/ /ˈdɪstæf/

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

Fuso

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. "

Assise près du feu, grand-mère utilisait le fuso pour tenir la laine pendant qu'elle la transformait en fil sur son rouet.

device utensil tradition material agriculture history work industry

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

Fusaiole

The part of a spinning wheel from which fibre is drawn to be spun.

Examples :

"The spinner carefully loaded the wool onto the distaff before starting the spinning wheel. "

Le fileur a soigneusement chargé la laine sur la fusaiole avant de démarrer le rouet.

utensil machine tradition

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

Attributions féminines, domaine féminin

Anything traditionally done by or considered of importance to women only.

Examples :

"The university offered a new scholarship specifically for women in STEM fields, challenging the traditional perception of science as being outside of the distaff. "

L'université a offert une nouvelle bourse spécifiquement aux femmes dans les domaines STEM, remettant en question la perception traditionnelle de la science comme étant en dehors du domaine féminin.

culture tradition family society history sex

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

Course réservée aux juments

A race for female horses only.

Examples :

"The horse racing club held a special distaff race for the female thoroughbreds. "

Le club de courses de chevaux a organisé une course réservée aux juments pour les pur-sang femelles.

sport animal race

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

Femme, femmes

A woman, or women considered as a group.

Examples :

"The company's annual picnic was well-attended, with both the sword and the distaff represented in equal measure. "

Le pique-nique annuel de l'entreprise a connu une forte affluence, avec les hommes et les femmes représentés en nombre égal.

person group human

Illustration distaff - Image 1

adjective

Féminin, relatif aux femmes

Of, relating to, or characteristic of women.

Examples :

"The meeting focused on addressing the gender imbalance and ensuring equal representation in both the male and distaff roles within the company. "

La réunion s'est concentrée sur la lutte contre le déséquilibre entre les sexes et sur la garantie d'une représentation égale dans les rôles masculins et féminins au sein de l'entreprise.

culture family human society tradition sex

Illustration distaff - Image 1

adjective

Du côté maternel

Of the maternal side of a family.

Examples :

"Her distaff relatives always emphasized artistic pursuits, unlike the men in her family who favored business. "

Ses parents du côté maternel ont toujours mis l'accent sur les activités artistiques, contrairement aux hommes de sa famille qui préféraient les affaires.