Mc|Car|thy|ism

Mc|Car|thy|ism «muh KAHR thee ihz uhm», noun.

1. the policy or practice of publicly accusing individuals or groups of political disloyalty and subversion, usually without sufficient evidence: »

McCarthyism breeds fear, suspicion and unrest. It turns neighbor against neighbor (New York Times). So McCarthyism—a synonym for reckless accusation—was born (Life).

2. the public investigation of Communist activities in the United States in the early 1950's, conducted in sensational public hearings: »

While this was going on, McCarthyism and attendant mental ills were preventing researchers here from even acknowledging that Russia possessed competent scientists (New Scientist).

╂[< Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, 1908-1957, chairman of the U.S. Senate Permanent Investigations Committee + -ism]