ˈwitch-ˌhunter
1. = witch-finder a.
| 1867 Harland & Wilkinson Lancs. Folk-Lore i. 184 Dr. John Webster (who detected Robinson, the Lancashire witch-hunter). |
2. One who takes part in or publicly advocates a witch-hunt (sense 2).
| 1935 New Republic 19 June 158 (heading) Witch⁓hunters at work. 1940 H. L. Ickes Diary 22 Feb. (1954) III. 139 Probably the witch-hunters are largely responsible for this. No one likes to be called a Communist and yet that is what every liberal has to submit to. 1960 Encounter Mar. 78/2 It is..necessary to that public to learn that its witch-hunters are corrupt. 1980 J. O'Faolain No Country for Young Men xvi. 347 Obsessed as a pair of witch-hunters, minds zipping along their single track, they challenged him. |