ku-adjective (archaic)
having no choice; at a loss for what to do; at one's wits' end
Archaic 'ku' adjective meaning to be without means or options. Modern Japanese uses phrases like なすすべもない or どうしようもない.
See also: なすすべもない
In classical literature, 術なし is sometimes used to express a feeling of helplessness.
Variant kanji spelling using 無し instead of なし.
From 術, “means” or “way,” and the classical negative adjective なし, “nonexistent; lacking”: literally, “there is no means.”