noun
right hand; sword hand; reins-holding hand
Archaic term for the right hand, especially in contexts of archery or horseback riding where the right hand holds the reins or sword. Contrasts with 弓手 (ゆんで, 'bow hand').
See also: 弓手
武士は馬手に手綱を握り、弓手に弓を持った。
The warrior held the reins in his right hand and the bow in his left.
noun
right side; one's right
Archaic directional term for the right side, used in classical or poetic contexts.
馬手に見えるは都の灯か。
What I see on my right — are those the lights of the capital?
The reading めて is an old Japanese word for the right hand, possibly related to 馬 (uma, 'horse') + 手 (te, 'hand'), as the right hand was used to hold the reins. The kanji 馬手 reflects this etymology, while 右手 is a later semantic spelling.