How to pronounce distaff
Say it like DIS-taf. Distaff has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distaff. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIS
- taf
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distaff pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tafKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of distaff
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: DIS-tahf.
What does distaff mean?
- A device to which a bundle of natural fibers (often wool, flax, or cotton) is attached for temporary storage, before being drawn off gradually to spin thread. A traditional distaff is a staff with flax fibers tied loosely to it (as indicated by the etymology of the word), but modern distaffs are oft
- The part of a spinning wheel from which fiber is drawn to be spun.
- Anything traditionally done by or considered of importance to women only.
- Of, relating to, or characteristic of women.
- Of the maternal side of a family.
Where does distaff come from?
From Middle English distaf (“distaff”), from Old English distæf (“distaff”), from *dis- (“bunch of flax”) (cognate with Middle Low German dise (“bunch of flax on a distaff”)) + stæf (“staff”) (from Proto-Germanic *stabaz (“staff, stick”), f
Questions about saying distaff
How do you pronounce distaff?
Say DIS-taf. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪstæf/. In British English it is /ˈdɪstɑːf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distaff?
Distaff has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIS). Broken into parts: DIS · taf.
Is distaff pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /ˈdɪstɑːf/ (DIS-tahf).