Crossword Genius

Winding stick first to break bulb (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

distaff

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'winding stick' is the definition.
'distaff' can be an answer for 'stick' (distaff is a kind of stick). I am unsure of the 'winding' bit.

'first to break bulb' is the wordplay.
'first to' becomes 'ist' (I've seen this in other clues).
'break' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters break the word apart).
'bulb' becomes 'daff' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ist' going into 'daff' is 'DISTAFF'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for distaff that I've seen before include "Wool spinning spindle" , "Stick on which wool is wound before spinning" , "Female - rod on which wool or flax is wound before spinning" , "Stick holding wood, in spinning" , "Characteristic of or peculiar to a woman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app