distaff side

noun

1. the female side of a family ( spear side ).

distaff side

noun

1. the female side or branch of a family Compare spear side

Word History and Origins

Origin of distaff side¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Her book is a fierce and often very funny guide to the distaff side of geekdom and reproduces photos and examples of Patrick’s work, many previously unpublished.

From Los Angeles Times

On the distaff side, Claire Messud gives us “The Burning Girl,” a kind of teen companion to “The Woman Upstairs,” her 2013 masterpiece about adult female friendship.

From Washington Post

Metis muckrakes with glee, reminding the distaff side of the company that “regardless of how things have been done in the past,” women should not continue to tolerate “childlike” behavior from their male counterparts.

From Washington Post

The distaff side was dominated by performers in projects from the female-oriented Lifetime network.  The nominees included Nicole Kidman for "Grace of Monaco," Christina Ricci for  "The Lizzie Borden Chronicles" and Susan Sarandon, "The Secret life of Marilyn Monroe," all three of which aired on Lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times

A lush stylist with a vivid, sarcastic wit and a taste for ribaldry, she was sometimes compared to Philip Roth for her wicked depictions of the battle of the sexes, albeit from the distaff side.

From New York Times