Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - dist

 abbreviation  1. ~ance  2. ~rict DISTAFF  I. noun  (plural ~s)  Etymology: Middle English distaf, from Old English dist?f, from dis- (akin to Middle Low German dise bunch of flax) + st?f staff  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. a staff for holding the flax, tow, or wool in spinning  b. woman's work or domain  2. the female branch or side of a family  II. adjective  Date: circa 1633  1. maternal 2 the ~ side of the family — compare spear  2. female 1 ~ executives