distaff
nounfeminine/'ʁɔ.kɐ/low
ro·ca
Definition
An ancient tool, usually made of wood, used for hand-spinning textile fibers (flax, wool) by twisting them into thread.
She held the flax on the distaff while spinning.
The distaff and spindle were essential tools for making yarn.
syn
Common collocations
spinning with a distaffflax on the distaff
Etymology
Do germânico *'rukka' (roca para fiar).