English Explanatory Dictionary

witch-hunt

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A search for people believed to be using sorcery or harmful magic, typically in order to persecute or punish them.
  2. An attempt to find and punish or harass a group of people perceived as a threat, usually on ideological or political grounds.
  3. A public or political campaign or investigation which smears a person or group.
verb
  1. To perform a witch-hunt.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɪtʃhʌnt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-witch-hunt.wav

Word forms

witch-hunt witch-hunts witchhunt witch hunt witch-hunting witch-hunted

Etymology

From witch + hunt.

Related words

witch hunter witch-hunting witch-hunty harassment McCarthyism peine forte et dure Salem
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