| 释义 |
ˈwitch-ˌhunting, vbl. n.
1. The activity of seeking out witches and obtaining evidence against them.
1640B. Jonson Sad Shepherd ii. vii, in Workes II. 149 You speake, Alken, as if you knew the sport of Witch⁓hunting, Or starting of a Hag. 1885Rider Haggard King Solomon's Mines xv. 249 Ignosi..reaffirmed the promises..that witch-hunting should cease. 1935B. Russell Relig. & Sci. iv. 99 In New England, a fierce outbreak of witch-hunting occurred at the end of the seventeenth century. 1950Auden Enchafèd Flood (1951) ii. 51 The actual horrors of persecution, witch-hunting, and provincial superstition from which they were trying to deliver mankind. 1981M. Warner Joan of Arc v. 114 Double-think is..endemic to the business of witch⁓hunting, for..the witch-hunter is the alleged witch's most committed believer.
2. Participation in or advocacy of a witch-hunt (sense 2).
1932J. F. Carter What we are about to Receive xviii. 204 Once the election is over..we shall quietly lay aside our witch hunting. 1943G. Greene Ministry of Fear ii. i. 125 You can't avoid witch-hunting in war-time. 1968Daily Tel. 16 Nov. 16/3 We have been treated to a plethora of half-truths, innuendo, witch-hunting and ignorance. 1977Socialist Press 2 Mar. 5/5 Despite this combination of administrative hysteria, right wing witch hunting and Stalinist betrayal, the fees issue is still alive at Essex.
Also as ppl. a. Hence (as a back-formation) ˈwitch-hunt v., (a) trans., to subject to a witch-hunt (sense 2); (b) intr., to take part in a witch-hunt.
1889W. H. D. Adams Witch, Warlock & Magician ii. v. 402 Our witch-hunting King offers an explanation of a peculiarity which..our readers have already noted. 1946Sun (Baltimore) 19 July 20/1 The War Department hasn't gone off half-cocked to ‘witch hunt, red bait or to bust’ unions. 1948‘J. Tey’ Franchise Affair v. 49 Give those Midland morons a good excuse and they'll witch⁓hunt with the best. 1960Twentieth Century Apr. 380 Assorted political personages (including a witch-hunting Senator). 1960News Chron. 29 June 6/7 That uncouth, witch-hunting and paederastic gowk [sc. James I]. 1975Listener 4 Dec. 754/2 David Niven..has severe words for it [sc. Hollywood]..for letting itself be..libelled and witch-hunted by..gossip columnists. 1980Jrnl. R. Soc. Arts Mar. 180/1 There is..a tendency to witch-hunt when any disaster happens. 1983W. McIlvanney Papers of Tony Veitch x. 59 ‘When did you join the vigilantes, Jack?’ ‘Never. I'm not witch-hunting whoever did it.’ |