When it comes to ad hominem attacks, neither Woffinden nor Rose can rest on safe ground.
This was hardly an ad hominem assault, though West interpreted it that way.
There is no retort to such a proposition as this so proper as the argument not ad hominem, but ab or ex homine.
And thus, when in future they are condemned, they will say ad hominem that they are unjust, and thus will refute their judgment.
He is arguing 'ad hominem' according to the notions of mythology current in his age.
c.1600, Latin, literally "to a man," from ad "to" (see ad-) + hominem, accusative of homo "man" (see homunculus).
A Latin expression meaning “to the man.” An ad hominem argument is one that relies on personal attacks rather than reason or substance.
