This adjective describes hands that haven't been washed, specifically in the context of ritual purity. Matthew 15:20 and Mark 7:2 both address Pharisaic controversy over eating with unwashed hands. Jesus defends His disciples against accusations that they violate tradition by not performing ceremonial hand-washing before meals. The issue isn't hygiene but ritual observance. Classical usage includes unwashed hands offered to Zeus and stains that cannot be washed out. The New Testament restricts it to ceremonial washing debates. Translations (Spanish sin-lavar/con-no-lavadas, French mains-non-lavées) emphasize the ritual omission.