Webster Word-of-the-Day: ad hominem

(via Webster Word-of-the-Day)

ad hominem \ad-HAH-muh-nem\ (adjective)

1 : appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect

2 : marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made

The governor's only response to the criticism of his new policy was to launch an ad hominem attack against those doing the criticizing.