witch-hunting

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English[edit]

Noun[edit]

witch-hunting (uncountable)

  1. (chiefly historical) Engagement in a witch-hunt; searching for witches or for evidence against them.
    • 2017, Ronald Hutton, The Witch, Yale University Press, published 2018, page 29:
      Witch-hunting has often been prominent both in revolutionary movements which directly opposed and helped to end colonialism or white supremacy, and in the successor states, under native regimes, which emerged out of the former colonies.
  2. Engagement in a political witch-hunt; unjust or ideological persecution.
    • 2003, Andy Wilson, The Guardian, 24 April:
      Noble had accused the Rugby Football League of "an element of witch-hunting" before accompanying Fielden to his disciplinary hearing, which he admitted was "disruptive" in cup final week.