Definition:
“: marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made”.
“Ad hominem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2006 <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad%20hominem> Accessed 28 Aug. 2022.
Informal Definition:
Making a verbal attack on someone’s life choices or upbringings rather than actually refuting a point brought up in an argument or debate.
Etymology:
Taken directly from Latin meaning “to the person." Ad- expresses direction towards in space or time, whereas Hominem comes from the Latin word Homunculus meaning "little person".
"Ad hominem." Online Etymology Dictionary, Etymoline, 2018 <https://www.etymonline.com/word/ad%20hominem?adlt=strict&toWww=1&redig=3606E9C805D54365BB65DFD1C67A8FFD> Accessed 2 Sept. 2022