— McCarthyite , n. , adj.
/meuh kahr"thee iz'euhm/ , n.
1. the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, esp. of pro-Communist activity, in many instances unsupported by proof or based on slight, doubtful, or irrelevant evidence.
2. the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, esp. in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.
[ 1950, Amer. ; after J. R. MCCARTHY; see -ISM ]