witchfinder general

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

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From witchfinder +‎ general.

Noun[edit]

witchfinder general (plural witchfinders general or witchfinder generals)

  1. (historical) A title assumed by in 1645, by Matthew Hopkins an English witch-hunter.
  2. By analogy an overly zealous investigator or accuser.