distaff background

distaff

/ˈdɪstɑːf/ /ˈdɪstæf/

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

纺车，锭子。

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. "

奶奶坐在火炉旁，用纺线棒固定住羊毛，然后用纺车把它纺成线。

device utensil tradition material agriculture history work industry

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

绕线棒, 纺锤。

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. "

纺织女在启动纺车之前，小心地把羊毛装到了绕线棒上。

utensil machine tradition

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

女人的事，女性专属，妇女的工作

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. "

这所大学设立了一项新的奖学金，专门为科学、技术、工程和数学领域的女性而设，这挑战了科学是“女人不该涉足的领域”这种传统观念。

culture tradition family society history sex

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

雌马赛，母马赛。

A race for female horses only.

Examples :

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

赛马俱乐部为纯种雌马举办了一场特别的雌马赛。

sport animal race

Illustration distaff - Image 1

noun

妇女，女性。

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. "

公司一年一度的野餐会很受欢迎，男女老少都来参加了，而且男女比例相当。

person group human

Illustration distaff - Image 1

adjective

女性的，妇女的

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. "

这次会议的重点是解决性别失衡问题，并确保公司内部男性职位和女性职位都有平等的代表性。

culture family human society tradition sex

Illustration distaff - Image 1

adjective

母系的，外祖的。

Of the maternal side of a family.

Examples :

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

她母系那边的亲戚总是强调艺术追求，和家里喜欢经商的男人们不一样。