witchfinder general
The term "witchfinder general" is historically associated with individuals, like Matthew Hopkins, who led witch hunts in 17th-century England.
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Definition
C2Historical
(historical)A title taken by Matthew Hopkins, an English witch-hunter who claimed to have official sanction to find and prosecute alleged witches in the mid-1600s.
Example
- Matthew Hopkins, known as the Witchfinder General, was responsible for the execution of many alleged witches during the English Civil War.
C1General
(figurative)A person who aggressively seeks out and accuses others, often without substantial evidence.
Example
- In the office, he was known as the Witchfinder General, always looking for someone to blame.