pre-noun adjectival
endless; boundless; without limit
Classical literary expression used before nouns to mean 'limitless' or 'endless'. In modern Japanese, it appears only in fixed poetic or rhetorical contexts, often replaced by 限りない or 果てしない.
古典文学には「窮みなき海」のような表現が見られる。
In classical literature, expressions like 'the boundless sea' can be found.
Common modern equivalent meaning 'limitless' or 'endless'. 窮みなき is its archaic, literary predecessor.
Another modern synonym, often implying physical or temporal endlessness. 窮みなき carries a more abstract, classical nuance.
From classical Japanese 窮み (kiwami, 'extremity, limit') + なき (naki, archaic attributive form of なし 'without'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the kanji 窮 reinforces the sense of reaching an extreme or limit.