female weaver
Archaic term for a woman who weaves, especially associated with the Tanabata legend. Not used in modern everyday language.
棚機つ女 is an old word referring to the weaving princess who appears in the Tanabata legend.
Archaic astronomical name for the star Vega, derived from the weaving maiden of the Tanabata legend. Modern Japanese normally uses ベガ or 織女星 (しょくじょせい).
See also: 織女星 (しょくじょせい)
棚機つ女 was also used as an old name for Alpha Lyrae, the star Vega in the constellation Lyra.