distaff

n. part of a spinning wheel that holds the wool, spindle; woman's work; female side of a family

adj. peculiar to a woman; female; related through a mother, derived from the female parent

As a noun, a distaff (also called a rock) is a tool used in spinning. It is designed to hold the unspun fibers, keeping them untangled and thus easing the spinning process. It is most commonly used to hold flax, and sometimes wool, but can be used for any type of fiber.The traditional form is a staff, typically mounted as an attachment to a spinning wheel. It is placed next to the bobbin, where it will be in easy reach of the spinner. The fiber is wrapped around the staff, and tied in place with a piece of ribbon or string. More recently, hand-spinners have begun using wrist-distaffs to hold their fiber; these are made of flexible material such as braided yarn, and can swing freely from the wrist.
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Noun
1. the sphere of work by women
(hypernym) sphere, domain, area, orbit, field, arena
2. the staff on which wool or flax is wound before spinning
(hypernym) staff
(part-holonym) spinning wheel
Adjective
1. characteristic of or peculiar to a woman; "female sensitiveness"; "female suffrage"
(synonym) female
(similar) feminine

(n.)
Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a woman; women, collectively.
  

(n.)
The staff for holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.
  

To dream of a distaff, denotes frugality, with pleasant surroundings. It also signifies that a devotional spirit will be cultivated by you.