Spinning Flax from a distaff

As a noun, a distaff 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. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2024x1742, 319 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Distaff User:Rl/Images Textile manufacturing ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2024x1742, 319 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Distaff User:Rl/Images Textile manufacturing ... Binomial name Linum usitatissimum Linnaeus. ... Noun or noun substantive is a lexical category which is defined in terms of how its members combine with other grammatical kinds of expressions. ... A modern hammer is directly descended from ancient hand tools A tool or device is a piece of equipment which typically provides a mechanical advantage in accomplishing a physical task. ... A hand-turned spinning wheel in action Cones of yarn for industrial use Spinning is the process of creating yarn (or thread, rope, cable) from various raw fiber materials. ... Fiber or fibre[1] is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread. ... Binomial name Linum usitatissimum Linnaeus. ... Long and short hair wool at the South Central Family Farm Research Center in Boonesville, Arizona Wool is the fiber derived from the fur of animals of the Caprinae family, principally sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals such as goats, alpacas, llamas and rabbits may also...

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. A spinning wheel is a device for making thread or yarn from fibrous material such as wool or cotton. ... A bobbin is a spindle or cylinder, with or without flanges, on which wire, yarn, thread or film is wound. ...

The term distaff is also used as an adjective and is used as a descriptor for a female grouping (e.g., the "distaff side" of a person's family refer's to the person's mother and her blood relatives). This term developed in the English speaking communities where a distaff spinning tool was used often to symbolize domestic life. The term distaff has fallen largely into disuse in recent times, although its antonyms of sword and spear to describe a male grouping are even more obscure. In grammar, an adjective is a part of speech that modifies a noun or a pronoun, usually by describing it or making its meaning more specific. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Look up Antonym in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Swiss longsword, 15th or 16th century Look up Sword in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Hunting spear and knife, from Mesa Verde National Park. ...

One still-recognized use of the term is in horse racing, where the American Breeders Cup run by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association where fillies compete in a separate race referred to as "The Distaff". Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ... The Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships is an annual series of thoroughbred horse races sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. ... The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is a United States-based organization that is the main governing body of thoroughbred horse racing in the Unitied States. ... Filly is also a town in Belgium. ...

In Norse mythology the Goddess Frigg spins clouds from her bejeweled distaff in the Norse constellation known as Frigg's Spinning Wheel. Norse or Scandinavian mythology comprises the pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian people, including those who settled on Iceland, where the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ... Frigg spinning the clouds In Norse mythology, Frigg (Eddas) or Frigga (Gesta Danorum) was said to be foremost among the goddesses, 1 the wife of Odin, queen of the Æsir, and goddess of the sky. ...

External links

• Wordsmith's definition
• Picture of a spinning wheel with distaff
• Picture of a spinning wheel with distaff and flax
• Instructions on making a recycled sock wrist-distaff
• National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Breeders' Cup Page