Post by Mark Berry on Sept 23, 2005 13:29:24 GMT -5
Accio
Latin for “to summon”. Summoning charm, used to make objects fly straight to the spell caster.
Alohomora
Spell used to unlock doors.
Aparecium
Used to reveal invisible ink.
Apparate
“Appareo” is Latin for “to become visible”. Spell used to move instantly from one place and appear in another.
Avada Kedavra
Aramaic phrase that means "may it be destroyed”. An Unforgivable Curse used to kill the victim. It famously produces a flash of green light.
Avis
Latin for “bird”. Conjures a flock of birds.
Babbling Curse
Causes the victim to babble nonsense. Lockhart once cured someone of this curse on his travels. Or not.
Banishing Charm
The opposite of Accio, causes an object to fly away from the caster.
Bat-Bogey Hex
Maybe the effects of this are best left to the imagination. Causes bogies to grow, become bat-like, and attack the victim. Ginny casts this spell on Draco Malfoy in Order of the Phoenix.
Bubblehead Charm
Used to create a bubble of air around the caster’s head. Often used to allow the caster to breathe underwater.
Cheering Charm
Not much is known about these, but it’s safe to assume that they make people happy.
Colloportus
Seals a door against being opened.
Confundus
Charm “Confundo” is Latin for “to confuse”. Used to confuse an object or person, to make them believe what the spell caster wants them to.
Conjunctivitis
Curse Conjunctivitis is an illness of the eyes that makes eyelids crust together. Attacks the eyes of the victim.
Crucio
Latin for “to torture”. An Unforgiveable Curse. It inflicts excruciating pain on the victim.
Curse of the Bogies
Professor Quirrell told his class about this curse, although its exact effect is unknown. Something to do with bogies, no doubt.
Cushioning Charm
Creates an invisible cushioned area. It is primarily used in broomstick manufacture to make the brooms more comfortable to sit on.
Deletrius
“Delete” means “to erase”. Used to erase spell images conjured by Priori Incantem.
Densaugeo
Enlarges the teeth of the victim.
Diffindo
Latin for “to split”. A spell that rips an object in half.
Disapparate
The opposite of Apparate – you have to Disapparate before you Apparate at the other end.
Disillusion
Literal meaning is to remove an illusion. Generally used to indicate unhappiness with a situation. Spell used to hide something. Typically used to hide magical objects and occurrences from Muggles.
Dissendium
This is possibly a path-revealing spell. It was used to open a secret passage to Hogsmeade.
Drought Charm
Dries up a limited amount of water. Harry decided he probably wouldn't be able to use it to dry up the entire Hogwarts lake.
Engorgio
“Engorge” means “to fill to excess”. Causes an object to enlarge.
Ennervate
Revives someone, especially someone who has had Stupefy cast on them.
Entrail-Expelling Curse
Invented by Urquhart Rackharrow, 1612-1697. Effect unknown, but presumably involves expelling entrails.
Entrancing Enchantment
Entrances the person the spell is cast upon.
Evanesco
Latin for “to vanish”. Used to make an object disappear.
Expecto Patronum
“Patronus” is Latin for “protector”. Conjures a Patronus, which is some sort of spirit-animal which becomes more solid with the ability of the spell-caster. The Patronus defends the caster, from Dementors and possibly other things.
Expelliarmus
Latin for “to expel a weapon”. Disarming spell – makes the victim’s wand fly out of their hand.
Extinguishing Spell
Puts out fires. This was used by the keepers of the dragons used in the Triwizard Tournament.
Ferula
Conjures a splint and bandages.
Fidelius Charm
“Fidelis” is Latin for “faithful friends”. A charm used to hide something or somebody from all people. The secret in question is concealed inside the soul of the Secret-Keeper, who is the only person to know the whereabouts of the hidden person/item.
Finite Incantatem
Removes the effects of any spells currently cast.
Flagrate
“Flagrantia” is Latin for “burning”. Makes the spell-caster able to draw lines of fire with their wand.
Flame Freezing Charm
Charm used by Medieval witches to remove the effects of the fire when they were burned at the stake. It is a good idea at this point to scream a bit and pretend to be burning.
Furnunculus
Makes the victim’s body break out in boils.
Hover Charm
Makes an item hover in the air. Famously used by Dobby on Aunt Petunia’s pudding.
Immobulus
“Immobilise” means to prevent moving. Stops an object moving.
Impedimenta
“Impedimentum” is Latin for “a hindrance”. Use to stop or slow down a person or creature (as opposed to an object).
Imperio
Imperious means “domineering”. An Unforgivable Curse. Puts the victim under the complete control of the spell caster.
Imperturbable Charm
Impeturbable means “not able to be disturbed”. Creates a barrier which sounds, objects and people cannot cross.
Impervius
Impervious means “incapable of being affected”. Used to make an object resistant to water.
Incantation-Free Magic
There are a number of places where magic that requires no set incantation appears to take place. An example of this occurs when Tonks packs Harry's bag for him before he sets off for Grimmauld Place. It is true that the spell in question coincides with her saying the word "pack", but this is likely to just be the end of her sentence rather than the name of the spell. She then tries the spell again in an attempt to get Harry's socks to fold themselves and uses a wand movement only (with no incantation at all) and so this seems likely to be a spell which requires no verbal element. Similarly, in Prisoner of Azkaban where Snape is trying to make the Marauders Map reveal its contents, the words he is speaking at the time are very unlikely to be a specific spell incantation. "Show Yourself", which was his first attempt, is a possibility. But if there really is a spell called "Professor Severus Snape, master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal!" then we would really like to know more about it!
Incarcerous
“Incarcerate” means to shut in. Summons ropes which then bind the victim.
Incendio
“Incendo” is Latin for “set fire to”. Creates fire.
Latin for “to summon”. Summoning charm, used to make objects fly straight to the spell caster.
Alohomora
Spell used to unlock doors.
Aparecium
Used to reveal invisible ink.
Apparate
“Appareo” is Latin for “to become visible”. Spell used to move instantly from one place and appear in another.
Avada Kedavra
Aramaic phrase that means "may it be destroyed”. An Unforgivable Curse used to kill the victim. It famously produces a flash of green light.
Avis
Latin for “bird”. Conjures a flock of birds.
Babbling Curse
Causes the victim to babble nonsense. Lockhart once cured someone of this curse on his travels. Or not.
Banishing Charm
The opposite of Accio, causes an object to fly away from the caster.
Bat-Bogey Hex
Maybe the effects of this are best left to the imagination. Causes bogies to grow, become bat-like, and attack the victim. Ginny casts this spell on Draco Malfoy in Order of the Phoenix.
Bubblehead Charm
Used to create a bubble of air around the caster’s head. Often used to allow the caster to breathe underwater.
Cheering Charm
Not much is known about these, but it’s safe to assume that they make people happy.
Colloportus
Seals a door against being opened.
Confundus
Charm “Confundo” is Latin for “to confuse”. Used to confuse an object or person, to make them believe what the spell caster wants them to.
Conjunctivitis
Curse Conjunctivitis is an illness of the eyes that makes eyelids crust together. Attacks the eyes of the victim.
Crucio
Latin for “to torture”. An Unforgiveable Curse. It inflicts excruciating pain on the victim.
Curse of the Bogies
Professor Quirrell told his class about this curse, although its exact effect is unknown. Something to do with bogies, no doubt.
Cushioning Charm
Creates an invisible cushioned area. It is primarily used in broomstick manufacture to make the brooms more comfortable to sit on.
Deletrius
“Delete” means “to erase”. Used to erase spell images conjured by Priori Incantem.
Densaugeo
Enlarges the teeth of the victim.
Diffindo
Latin for “to split”. A spell that rips an object in half.
Disapparate
The opposite of Apparate – you have to Disapparate before you Apparate at the other end.
Disillusion
Literal meaning is to remove an illusion. Generally used to indicate unhappiness with a situation. Spell used to hide something. Typically used to hide magical objects and occurrences from Muggles.
Dissendium
This is possibly a path-revealing spell. It was used to open a secret passage to Hogsmeade.
Drought Charm
Dries up a limited amount of water. Harry decided he probably wouldn't be able to use it to dry up the entire Hogwarts lake.
Engorgio
“Engorge” means “to fill to excess”. Causes an object to enlarge.
Ennervate
Revives someone, especially someone who has had Stupefy cast on them.
Entrail-Expelling Curse
Invented by Urquhart Rackharrow, 1612-1697. Effect unknown, but presumably involves expelling entrails.
Entrancing Enchantment
Entrances the person the spell is cast upon.
Evanesco
Latin for “to vanish”. Used to make an object disappear.
Expecto Patronum
“Patronus” is Latin for “protector”. Conjures a Patronus, which is some sort of spirit-animal which becomes more solid with the ability of the spell-caster. The Patronus defends the caster, from Dementors and possibly other things.
Expelliarmus
Latin for “to expel a weapon”. Disarming spell – makes the victim’s wand fly out of their hand.
Extinguishing Spell
Puts out fires. This was used by the keepers of the dragons used in the Triwizard Tournament.
Ferula
Conjures a splint and bandages.
Fidelius Charm
“Fidelis” is Latin for “faithful friends”. A charm used to hide something or somebody from all people. The secret in question is concealed inside the soul of the Secret-Keeper, who is the only person to know the whereabouts of the hidden person/item.
Finite Incantatem
Removes the effects of any spells currently cast.
Flagrate
“Flagrantia” is Latin for “burning”. Makes the spell-caster able to draw lines of fire with their wand.
Flame Freezing Charm
Charm used by Medieval witches to remove the effects of the fire when they were burned at the stake. It is a good idea at this point to scream a bit and pretend to be burning.
Furnunculus
Makes the victim’s body break out in boils.
Hover Charm
Makes an item hover in the air. Famously used by Dobby on Aunt Petunia’s pudding.
Immobulus
“Immobilise” means to prevent moving. Stops an object moving.
Impedimenta
“Impedimentum” is Latin for “a hindrance”. Use to stop or slow down a person or creature (as opposed to an object).
Imperio
Imperious means “domineering”. An Unforgivable Curse. Puts the victim under the complete control of the spell caster.
Imperturbable Charm
Impeturbable means “not able to be disturbed”. Creates a barrier which sounds, objects and people cannot cross.
Impervius
Impervious means “incapable of being affected”. Used to make an object resistant to water.
Incantation-Free Magic
There are a number of places where magic that requires no set incantation appears to take place. An example of this occurs when Tonks packs Harry's bag for him before he sets off for Grimmauld Place. It is true that the spell in question coincides with her saying the word "pack", but this is likely to just be the end of her sentence rather than the name of the spell. She then tries the spell again in an attempt to get Harry's socks to fold themselves and uses a wand movement only (with no incantation at all) and so this seems likely to be a spell which requires no verbal element. Similarly, in Prisoner of Azkaban where Snape is trying to make the Marauders Map reveal its contents, the words he is speaking at the time are very unlikely to be a specific spell incantation. "Show Yourself", which was his first attempt, is a possibility. But if there really is a spell called "Professor Severus Snape, master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal!" then we would really like to know more about it!
Incarcerous
“Incarcerate” means to shut in. Summons ropes which then bind the victim.
Incendio
“Incendo” is Latin for “set fire to”. Creates fire.
