wingardium leviosa a book of spells and charms
written by sudev subrahmanian
this is a copy of all spells from wiki fandom
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
1
Reads
1,764
spells of letter A
Chapter 1
A
Aberto
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: Ah-bare-toh
Description: A spell used to open doors.[1]
Accio (Summoning Charm)Edit
Accio cup
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: Various, including: AK-ee-oh or AK-see-oh (film), AK-see-oh (UK audio book and video game), AS-see-oh (US audio book), and AT-chee-oh (Anglo-Catholic pronunciation)
Description: Summons an object towards the caster. It is able to summon objects in direct line of sight of the caster, as well as things out of view, by calling the object aloud after the incantation (unless the spell is casted nonverbally). This spell needs thought behind it, and the object must be clear in the casters mind before trying to summon it. The caster doesn't necessarily need to know the location of the target if they say the name of the object to be summoned, such as when Hermione Granger summoned some books from Dumbledore's office simply by saying "Accio Horcrux books!" while in Gryffindor Tower.
Seen/Mentioned: Harry Potter summoned his broom to complete the first task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994, and to summon the Portkey to escape Voldemort and the Death Eaters in the Little Hangleton Graveyard in 1995. Also, in the Battle of the Seven Potters Harry summoned Hagrid when he fell. Molly Weasley used it to get the twins' candy. The twins used it to summon their brooms from Dolores Umbridge's office
Etymology: The Latin word accio means "I call" or "I summon".
Notes: The Summoning Charm is unable to directly summon exceptionally large targets such as buildings, or living creatures (except for Flobberworms which aren't considered to be worth summoning). It is, however, possible to move a creature by summoning things they are wearing or holding. It is also possible to bewitch items to become unaffected from this charm, as is the case with most bought goods.
(Age Line)Edit
AgeLine WB F4 GobletSurroundedByAgeLine Illust 100615 Land
Type: Charm
Description: Prevents people above or below a certain age from access to a target.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore to stop underage students from entering their names into the Goblet of Fire. When Fred and George Weasley attempted to circumvent it with Ageing Potions, and ended up in the Hospital Wing with fine white beards.
Aguamenti (Water-Making Spell)Edit
Aguamenti
Type: Charm, Conjuration
Pronunciation: AH-gwah-MEN-tee
Description: Produces a clean, drinkable jet of water from the wand tip.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Fleur Delacour in 1994 to extinguish her skirt, which had caught flame during a fight against a dragon. Harry used this spell twice in 1997, both on the same night; once to attempt to provide a drink for Dumbledore, then again to help douse Hagrid's hut after it was set aflame by Thorfinn Rowle, who used the Fire-Making Spell.
Etymology: Possibly a hybrid of Latin words aqua, which means "water", and mentis, which means "mind".
Alarte AscendareEdit
Alarte Ascendare
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: a-LAR-tay a-SEN-der-ay
Description: Shoots the target high into the air.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Gilderoy Lockhart in 1992
Etymology: Ascendere is a Latin infinitive meaning "to go up,""to climb," "to embark," "to rise(figuratively);" this is the origin of the English word "ascend".
(Albus Dumbledore's Forceful Spell)Edit
Type: Spell
Description: This spell was, supposedly, quite powerful as when it was cast, the opponent was forced to conjure a silver shield to deflect it.
Seen/Mentioned: This incantation was used only once throughout the series, and that was by Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic, immediately following the Battle of the Department of Mysteries on 17 June, 1996, while he duelled Voldemort.
Alohomora (Unlocking Charm)Edit
Alohomora
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-LOH-ho-MOR-ah
Description: Unlocks doors and other objects. It can also unlock doors that have been sealed with a Locking Spell, although it is possible to bewitch doors to become unaffected by this spell.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger in 1991 to allow her and her friends to access the Third-floor corridor] at her school, which was at the time forbidden; she used it again two years later to free Sirius's cell in her teacher's prison room.
Etymology: The incantation is derived from the West African Sidiki dialect used in geomancy; it means "friendly to thieves", as stated by the author in testimony during a court case.[2]
Notes: Whilst in the first book, when the spell is cast the lock or door must be tapped once, in the fifth, a healer simply points her wand at the door to cast it, and on Pottermore the wand motion is seen as a backward 'S'.
Amato Animo Animato Animagus (Animagus Spell)Edit
Type: Transfiguration
Pronunciation: ah-MAH-toh ah-NEE-moh ah-nee-MAH-toh an-a-MAY-jus
Description: Spell used as part of the process of becoming an Animagus. The incantation has to be recited at sunrise and sundown, every day before the consumption of the Animagus Potion. The incantation is also recited just prior to the consumption of the potion, which has to take place just after a lightning storm starts. The incantation is recited while placing the wand's tip over one's heart.
Etymology: Amato is a conjugation of the Latin word amo, which means "I love" or "I am obliged to". Animo and animato are both different conjugations of the Latin word animo, which can mean "I animate" or "I fill with breath or life". Animagus on the other hand appears to be a portmanteau of animo or "animal", and magus, which is Latin for "wizard".[citation needed] Overall, the incantation can roughly mean "My love brings me life, I am obliged to become an animal wizard."
AnapneoEdit
Type: Healing Spell, Vanishment
Pronunciation: ah-NAP-nee-oh
Description: Clears the target's airway if they are choking on something.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Horace Slughorn, cast upon Marcus Belby when the latter choked on a pheasant in 1996.
Etymology: From the Greek verb anapneo, meaning "I breathe in."
AnteoculatiaEdit
Anteoculatia
Type: Hex
Pronunciation: an-tee-oh-kyoo-LAY-chee-ah
Description: Causes the target to grow antlers.[3]
Seen/Mentioned: This spell was likely used to make Pansy Parkinson grow antlers in 1996.[4]
(Anti-Cheating Spell)Edit
Anti-CheatingSpell
Type: Charm
Description: Used to prevent cheating.
Seen/Mentioned: These spells were used at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on writing quills and parchment to prevent students from cheating during their final exams, as well as their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s.
(Anti-Disapparition Jinx)Edit
Type: Jinx
Description: Prevents Disapparation in an area. It is used to entrap an enemy in an area.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore to trap some Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries in 1996. Also mentioned that nobody can disapparate from Hogwarts; it is due to this jinx.
(Anti-intruder jinx)Edit
Type: Jinx
Description: Prevents intruders from entering an area.
Seen/Mentioned: It was placed on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1996 for extra protection during an invasion of Death Eaters.
(Antonin Dolohov's curse)Edit
Type: Curse
Description: An unknown curse that causes injuries that are capable of killing with enough power.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Antonin Dolohov during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries twice; Dolohov was under a Silencing Charm, and thus weakened the effects of this curse, saving Hermione from death, but incapacitated her and required her to take ten potions a day for some time.
Aparecium (Revealing Charm)Edit
Aparecium
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: AH-par-EE-see-um
Description: Reveals secret messages written in invisible ink, or any other hidden markings. Also works against Concealing charms
Seen/Mentioned: Used (to no avail) in 1993 by Hermione Granger to attempt to reveal any hidden writing in a diary.
Etymology: Latin apparere, meaning "to appear"; -ium and -cium are common Latin noun endings.
Appare Vestigium (Tracking Spell)Edit
COG Newt Appare Vestigium
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-PAR-ay ves-TEE-jee-um
Description: Reveals traces of magic, including footprints and track marks.
Seen/Mentioned: Newton Scamander used it to search for Porpentina Goldstein
(Apparition)Edit
20110819-js-apparition
Type: Transportation
Description: Magically transports the caster to another location instantaneously. The destination is one that the primary user has been to or seen in some fashion previously. Can be used to apparate multiple people at once if holding each other. No incantation required.
Seen/Mentioned: Used multiple times by various people. In year six, Dumbledore uses it to take Harry to visit Slughorn. Year seven, Hermione, Ron, and Harry use it as they search for the horcruxes.
Aqua Eructo (Aqua Eructo Charm)Edit
Aqua Eructo
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: A-kwa ee-RUCK-toh
Description: This spell is used to create, and control, a jet of clear water from the tip of the wand; it is probably related to Aguamenti.
Seen/Mentioned: Used multiple times to extinguish fires in 1994.
Etymology: Aqua means, in Latin, water. Eructo is a verb meaning "I raise"; roughly translated, it means "I raise water".
Arania Exumai (Spider repelling spell)Edit
Tumblr lvjimk76Q71qgt0vro6 250
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-RAHN-ee-a EKS-su-may
Description: Drives away spiders, including Acromantulas.
Seen/Mentioned: Jacob's sibling used this spell to repel an Acromantula that guarded the Forest Vault in the Forbidden Forest.
Etymology: From the Latin aranea, meaning "spider", and exuo, meaning "I lay aside".
Arresto Momentum (Slowing Charm)Edit
Wandless magic
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-REST-oh mo-MEN-tum
Description: Decreases the velocity of a moving target. Can be used on multiple targets, as well as on the caster themselves. It was invented by Daisy Pennifold in 1711 for use on the Quaffle in Quidditch.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Dumbledore to save one of his students from a fall in 1993; Hermione Granger used it, to little effect, in 1998 to cushion an otherwise deadly fall.
Etymology: Likely the combination of the Anglo-French arester, meaning "to bring to a stop" and the Latin momentum, meaning "the force or strength gained whilst moving"; the literal translation hence is "Bring the force or strength gained whilst moving to a stop".
(Arrow-shooting spell)Edit
Type: Conjuration
Description: Fires arrows from the caster's wand.
Seen/Mentioned: The spell used to be used by Appleby Arrows supporters at Quidditch matches to show their support for their teams; however, the British and Irish Quidditch League banned the use of the spell at matches when referee Nugent Potts was pierced through the nose with a stray arrow in 1894.
AscendioEdit
Tumblr lvya0rfkNa1qgt0vro8 r1 250
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-SEN-dee-oh
Description: Lifts the caster high into the air. The charm also works underwater, propelling the caster above the surface.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry Potter in the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament to propel him to the surface of the lake in 1995.
Etymology: Derived from Latin ascendo, meaning "to climb".[5]
Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse)Edit
Type: Curse
Pronunciation: ah-VAH-dah keh-DAV-rah
Description:
Avada-Kedavra
Causes instantaneous death. It is accompanied by a flash of green light and a rushing noise. There is no known counter-curse that can protect the victim from dying, except for a loving sacrifice. It is one of the three Unforgivable Curses.
Harry Potter was saved from this spell a number of times, both by his mother's sacrifice, because he was an accidental horcrux, and because his wand and his enemy's were made of the same core.
Seen/Mentioned: First said (not by name) in 1991, during the flashback while Hagrid described his parents' deaths to Harry; next, the first part of the incantation was said by Lucius Malfoy when he tried to kill Harry, and numerous times in every book following.
Etymology: During an audience interview at the Edinburgh Book Festival on 15 April, 2004 J. K. Rowling said "Does anyone know where avada kedavra came from? It is an ancient spell in Aramaic, and it is the original of abracadabra, which means "let the thing be destroyed". Originally, it was used to cure illness and the "thing" was the illness, but I decided to make the "thing" as in the person standing in front of me. I take a lot of liberties with things like that. I twist them round and make them mine."[6]
Avifors (Avifors Spell)Edit
Avifors
Type: Transfiguration
Pronunciation: AH-vi-fors
Description: Transforms the target into a bird.
Seen/Mentioned: Used multiple times throughout the video games.
Etymology: From Latin avis meaning "bird" and forma meaning "shape".
AvenseguimEdit
Avenseguim
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-ven-SEH-gwim
Description: Turns an object into a tracking device.
Seen/Mentioned: In 1927, Newton Scamander used this spell to track the origins of a feather - a clue found during his search for Porpentina Goldstein - back to Yusuf Kama, whose hat the feather came from.
Etymology: The incantation Avenseguim is likely derived from the portmanteau of avens, a Latin adjective for "eager" or "craving", and seguir, the Spanish and Portuguese verb meaning "to follow", or alternatively from the Catalan seguim, meaning "we follow". Taken together, Avenseguim can be interpreted as "to eagerly follow", which aptly characterises the behaviour of a tracking device.
Avis (Bird-Conjuring Charm)Edit
Avis
Type: Conjuration, Charm
Pronunciation: AH-viss
Description: Conjures a flock of birds from the tip of the wand. When used in conjunction with Oppugno, it can be used offensively.
Seen/Mentioned: Used in 1994 by Mr Ollivander to test Viktor Krum's wand. Also employed offensively by Hermione Granger against Ron Weasley.
Etymology: The Latin word avis means "bird".
Aberto
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: Ah-bare-toh
Description: A spell used to open doors.[1]
Accio (Summoning Charm)Edit
Accio cup
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: Various, including: AK-ee-oh or AK-see-oh (film), AK-see-oh (UK audio book and video game), AS-see-oh (US audio book), and AT-chee-oh (Anglo-Catholic pronunciation)
Description: Summons an object towards the caster. It is able to summon objects in direct line of sight of the caster, as well as things out of view, by calling the object aloud after the incantation (unless the spell is casted nonverbally). This spell needs thought behind it, and the object must be clear in the casters mind before trying to summon it. The caster doesn't necessarily need to know the location of the target if they say the name of the object to be summoned, such as when Hermione Granger summoned some books from Dumbledore's office simply by saying "Accio Horcrux books!" while in Gryffindor Tower.
Seen/Mentioned: Harry Potter summoned his broom to complete the first task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994, and to summon the Portkey to escape Voldemort and the Death Eaters in the Little Hangleton Graveyard in 1995. Also, in the Battle of the Seven Potters Harry summoned Hagrid when he fell. Molly Weasley used it to get the twins' candy. The twins used it to summon their brooms from Dolores Umbridge's office
Etymology: The Latin word accio means "I call" or "I summon".
Notes: The Summoning Charm is unable to directly summon exceptionally large targets such as buildings, or living creatures (except for Flobberworms which aren't considered to be worth summoning). It is, however, possible to move a creature by summoning things they are wearing or holding. It is also possible to bewitch items to become unaffected from this charm, as is the case with most bought goods.
(Age Line)Edit
AgeLine WB F4 GobletSurroundedByAgeLine Illust 100615 Land
Type: Charm
Description: Prevents people above or below a certain age from access to a target.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore to stop underage students from entering their names into the Goblet of Fire. When Fred and George Weasley attempted to circumvent it with Ageing Potions, and ended up in the Hospital Wing with fine white beards.
Aguamenti (Water-Making Spell)Edit
Aguamenti
Type: Charm, Conjuration
Pronunciation: AH-gwah-MEN-tee
Description: Produces a clean, drinkable jet of water from the wand tip.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Fleur Delacour in 1994 to extinguish her skirt, which had caught flame during a fight against a dragon. Harry used this spell twice in 1997, both on the same night; once to attempt to provide a drink for Dumbledore, then again to help douse Hagrid's hut after it was set aflame by Thorfinn Rowle, who used the Fire-Making Spell.
Etymology: Possibly a hybrid of Latin words aqua, which means "water", and mentis, which means "mind".
Alarte AscendareEdit
Alarte Ascendare
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: a-LAR-tay a-SEN-der-ay
Description: Shoots the target high into the air.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Gilderoy Lockhart in 1992
Etymology: Ascendere is a Latin infinitive meaning "to go up,""to climb," "to embark," "to rise(figuratively);" this is the origin of the English word "ascend".
(Albus Dumbledore's Forceful Spell)Edit
Type: Spell
Description: This spell was, supposedly, quite powerful as when it was cast, the opponent was forced to conjure a silver shield to deflect it.
Seen/Mentioned: This incantation was used only once throughout the series, and that was by Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic, immediately following the Battle of the Department of Mysteries on 17 June, 1996, while he duelled Voldemort.
Alohomora (Unlocking Charm)Edit
Alohomora
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-LOH-ho-MOR-ah
Description: Unlocks doors and other objects. It can also unlock doors that have been sealed with a Locking Spell, although it is possible to bewitch doors to become unaffected by this spell.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger in 1991 to allow her and her friends to access the Third-floor corridor] at her school, which was at the time forbidden; she used it again two years later to free Sirius's cell in her teacher's prison room.
Etymology: The incantation is derived from the West African Sidiki dialect used in geomancy; it means "friendly to thieves", as stated by the author in testimony during a court case.[2]
Notes: Whilst in the first book, when the spell is cast the lock or door must be tapped once, in the fifth, a healer simply points her wand at the door to cast it, and on Pottermore the wand motion is seen as a backward 'S'.
Amato Animo Animato Animagus (Animagus Spell)Edit
Type: Transfiguration
Pronunciation: ah-MAH-toh ah-NEE-moh ah-nee-MAH-toh an-a-MAY-jus
Description: Spell used as part of the process of becoming an Animagus. The incantation has to be recited at sunrise and sundown, every day before the consumption of the Animagus Potion. The incantation is also recited just prior to the consumption of the potion, which has to take place just after a lightning storm starts. The incantation is recited while placing the wand's tip over one's heart.
Etymology: Amato is a conjugation of the Latin word amo, which means "I love" or "I am obliged to". Animo and animato are both different conjugations of the Latin word animo, which can mean "I animate" or "I fill with breath or life". Animagus on the other hand appears to be a portmanteau of animo or "animal", and magus, which is Latin for "wizard".[citation needed] Overall, the incantation can roughly mean "My love brings me life, I am obliged to become an animal wizard."
AnapneoEdit
Type: Healing Spell, Vanishment
Pronunciation: ah-NAP-nee-oh
Description: Clears the target's airway if they are choking on something.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Horace Slughorn, cast upon Marcus Belby when the latter choked on a pheasant in 1996.
Etymology: From the Greek verb anapneo, meaning "I breathe in."
AnteoculatiaEdit
Anteoculatia
Type: Hex
Pronunciation: an-tee-oh-kyoo-LAY-chee-ah
Description: Causes the target to grow antlers.[3]
Seen/Mentioned: This spell was likely used to make Pansy Parkinson grow antlers in 1996.[4]
(Anti-Cheating Spell)Edit
Anti-CheatingSpell
Type: Charm
Description: Used to prevent cheating.
Seen/Mentioned: These spells were used at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on writing quills and parchment to prevent students from cheating during their final exams, as well as their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s.
(Anti-Disapparition Jinx)Edit
Type: Jinx
Description: Prevents Disapparation in an area. It is used to entrap an enemy in an area.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore to trap some Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries in 1996. Also mentioned that nobody can disapparate from Hogwarts; it is due to this jinx.
(Anti-intruder jinx)Edit
Type: Jinx
Description: Prevents intruders from entering an area.
Seen/Mentioned: It was placed on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1996 for extra protection during an invasion of Death Eaters.
(Antonin Dolohov's curse)Edit
Type: Curse
Description: An unknown curse that causes injuries that are capable of killing with enough power.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Antonin Dolohov during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries twice; Dolohov was under a Silencing Charm, and thus weakened the effects of this curse, saving Hermione from death, but incapacitated her and required her to take ten potions a day for some time.
Aparecium (Revealing Charm)Edit
Aparecium
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: AH-par-EE-see-um
Description: Reveals secret messages written in invisible ink, or any other hidden markings. Also works against Concealing charms
Seen/Mentioned: Used (to no avail) in 1993 by Hermione Granger to attempt to reveal any hidden writing in a diary.
Etymology: Latin apparere, meaning "to appear"; -ium and -cium are common Latin noun endings.
Appare Vestigium (Tracking Spell)Edit
COG Newt Appare Vestigium
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-PAR-ay ves-TEE-jee-um
Description: Reveals traces of magic, including footprints and track marks.
Seen/Mentioned: Newton Scamander used it to search for Porpentina Goldstein
(Apparition)Edit
20110819-js-apparition
Type: Transportation
Description: Magically transports the caster to another location instantaneously. The destination is one that the primary user has been to or seen in some fashion previously. Can be used to apparate multiple people at once if holding each other. No incantation required.
Seen/Mentioned: Used multiple times by various people. In year six, Dumbledore uses it to take Harry to visit Slughorn. Year seven, Hermione, Ron, and Harry use it as they search for the horcruxes.
Aqua Eructo (Aqua Eructo Charm)Edit
Aqua Eructo
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: A-kwa ee-RUCK-toh
Description: This spell is used to create, and control, a jet of clear water from the tip of the wand; it is probably related to Aguamenti.
Seen/Mentioned: Used multiple times to extinguish fires in 1994.
Etymology: Aqua means, in Latin, water. Eructo is a verb meaning "I raise"; roughly translated, it means "I raise water".
Arania Exumai (Spider repelling spell)Edit
Tumblr lvjimk76Q71qgt0vro6 250
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-RAHN-ee-a EKS-su-may
Description: Drives away spiders, including Acromantulas.
Seen/Mentioned: Jacob's sibling used this spell to repel an Acromantula that guarded the Forest Vault in the Forbidden Forest.
Etymology: From the Latin aranea, meaning "spider", and exuo, meaning "I lay aside".
Arresto Momentum (Slowing Charm)Edit
Wandless magic
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-REST-oh mo-MEN-tum
Description: Decreases the velocity of a moving target. Can be used on multiple targets, as well as on the caster themselves. It was invented by Daisy Pennifold in 1711 for use on the Quaffle in Quidditch.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Dumbledore to save one of his students from a fall in 1993; Hermione Granger used it, to little effect, in 1998 to cushion an otherwise deadly fall.
Etymology: Likely the combination of the Anglo-French arester, meaning "to bring to a stop" and the Latin momentum, meaning "the force or strength gained whilst moving"; the literal translation hence is "Bring the force or strength gained whilst moving to a stop".
(Arrow-shooting spell)Edit
Type: Conjuration
Description: Fires arrows from the caster's wand.
Seen/Mentioned: The spell used to be used by Appleby Arrows supporters at Quidditch matches to show their support for their teams; however, the British and Irish Quidditch League banned the use of the spell at matches when referee Nugent Potts was pierced through the nose with a stray arrow in 1894.
AscendioEdit
Tumblr lvya0rfkNa1qgt0vro8 r1 250
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-SEN-dee-oh
Description: Lifts the caster high into the air. The charm also works underwater, propelling the caster above the surface.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry Potter in the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament to propel him to the surface of the lake in 1995.
Etymology: Derived from Latin ascendo, meaning "to climb".[5]
Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse)Edit
Type: Curse
Pronunciation: ah-VAH-dah keh-DAV-rah
Description:
Avada-Kedavra
Causes instantaneous death. It is accompanied by a flash of green light and a rushing noise. There is no known counter-curse that can protect the victim from dying, except for a loving sacrifice. It is one of the three Unforgivable Curses.
Harry Potter was saved from this spell a number of times, both by his mother's sacrifice, because he was an accidental horcrux, and because his wand and his enemy's were made of the same core.
Seen/Mentioned: First said (not by name) in 1991, during the flashback while Hagrid described his parents' deaths to Harry; next, the first part of the incantation was said by Lucius Malfoy when he tried to kill Harry, and numerous times in every book following.
Etymology: During an audience interview at the Edinburgh Book Festival on 15 April, 2004 J. K. Rowling said "Does anyone know where avada kedavra came from? It is an ancient spell in Aramaic, and it is the original of abracadabra, which means "let the thing be destroyed". Originally, it was used to cure illness and the "thing" was the illness, but I decided to make the "thing" as in the person standing in front of me. I take a lot of liberties with things like that. I twist them round and make them mine."[6]
Avifors (Avifors Spell)Edit
Avifors
Type: Transfiguration
Pronunciation: AH-vi-fors
Description: Transforms the target into a bird.
Seen/Mentioned: Used multiple times throughout the video games.
Etymology: From Latin avis meaning "bird" and forma meaning "shape".
AvenseguimEdit
Avenseguim
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-ven-SEH-gwim
Description: Turns an object into a tracking device.
Seen/Mentioned: In 1927, Newton Scamander used this spell to track the origins of a feather - a clue found during his search for Porpentina Goldstein - back to Yusuf Kama, whose hat the feather came from.
Etymology: The incantation Avenseguim is likely derived from the portmanteau of avens, a Latin adjective for "eager" or "craving", and seguir, the Spanish and Portuguese verb meaning "to follow", or alternatively from the Catalan seguim, meaning "we follow". Taken together, Avenseguim can be interpreted as "to eagerly follow", which aptly characterises the behaviour of a tracking device.
Avis (Bird-Conjuring Charm)Edit
Avis
Type: Conjuration, Charm
Pronunciation: AH-viss
Description: Conjures a flock of birds from the tip of the wand. When used in conjunction with Oppugno, it can be used offensively.
Seen/Mentioned: Used in 1994 by Mr Ollivander to test Viktor Krum's wand. Also employed offensively by Hermione Granger against Ron Weasley.
Etymology: The Latin word avis means "bird".
