noun
handless; armless
Describes a person or creature lacking hands or arms, or an object without handles.
その像は手なしの状態で発見された。
The statue was discovered in a handless state.
noun
vineless plant
Botanical term for a plant that lacks vines or tendrils.
この品種は手なしのため、支柱が不要です。
This variety is vineless, so it doesn't need support stakes.
noun
sleeveless undergarment; sleeveless haori
Archaic term for a sleeveless undergarment or a sleeveless haori (a type of traditional jacket).
See also: 羽織
江戸時代には、手なしの羽織が夏の普段着として用いられた。
In the Edo period, sleeveless haori were used as everyday summer wear.
noun
Archaic female term for menstruation; now obsolete and replaced by modern terms like 生理.
昔の女性は、月のものを「手なし」と呼ぶことがあった。
Women in the past sometimes called their period 'tenashi'.
Means 'empty-handed' or 'unarmed', focusing on the lack of something held, not the absence of hands themselves.
Compound of 手 (hand) + なし (without). The literal meaning 'handless' extends to various specialized uses.