noun
eighth place; eighth position
Abbreviation of 八番目 or similar ordinal expressions. Used in rankings, races, and ordered lists.
彼はマラソンで八つ目だった。
He came in eighth in the marathon.
noun
having eight eyes; many-eyed
Literally 'eight eyes'; often used figuratively for creatures or objects with multiple eye-like markings. The 'many eyes' gloss is a natural extension.
八つ目のクモの絵を描いた。
I drew a picture of an eight-eyed spider.
noun
loose-knit (fabric)
Describes fabric with a loose, open weave that resembles many small holes or 'eyes'. Rare standalone; mostly in textile contexts.
この八つ目のニットは夏にちょうどいい。
This loose-knit sweater is perfect for summer.
noun
lamprey
Short for 八目鰻 (やつめうなぎ). The name comes from the seven gill openings behind the eye, which together with the true eye give the appearance of eight eyes.
See also: 八目鰻
八つ目は川で見られる原始的な魚だ。
The lamprey is a primitive fish found in rivers.
noun
eight-holed arrow whistle
Short for 八目鏑 (やつめかぶら). A traditional Japanese arrowhead with eight holes that produces a whistling sound in flight. Rare historical term.
See also: 八目鏑
八つ目の鏑矢は合戦の合図に使われた。
The eight-holed whistling arrow was used as a signal in battle.
From 八つ (eight) + 目 (eye). The ordinal sense is an abbreviation of 八番目. The lamprey sense is a shortening of 八目鰻, named for the gill openings that resemble extra eyes.