The difference between Distaff and Paternal

Distaff as a noun:

A device to which a bundle of natural fibres (often wool, flax, or cotton) are attached for temporary storage, before being drawn off gradually to spin thread. A traditional distaff is a staff with flax fibres tied loosely to it (as indicated by the etymology of the word), but modern distaffs are often made of cords weighted with beads, and attached to the wrist.

Distaff as a noun:

The part of a spinning wheel from which fibre is drawn to be spun.

Distaff as a noun:

Anything traditionally done by or considered of importance to women only.

Distaff as a noun:

A race for female horses only.

Distaff as a noun:

A woman, or women considered as a group.

Distaff as an adjective:

Of, relating to, or characteristic of women.

Distaff as an adjective:

Of the maternal side of a family.

Paternal as an adjective:

Of or pertaining to one's father, his genes, his relatives, or his side of a family

Paternal as an adjective:

Fatherly; behaving as or characteristic of a father.

Paternal as an adjective:

Received or inherited from one's father.

Paternal as an adjective:

Acting as a father