one of the equitable maxims embodying the principle that a party seeking redress in a court of equity (equitable relief) must not have done any unethical act in the transaction upon which that party maintains the action in equity, since a court of conscience will not grant relief to one guilty of unconscionable conduct, ie, to one with unclean hands. Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016