Accio (AK-see-oh or A-see-oh)

"Summoning Charm"

"accio" L. send for, summon

Causes an object to fly to the caster, even over quite some distance. It would seem that the caster must know at least the general location of the object Summoned.

no incantation given

A thin golden line drawn on a floor, which affects anyone who crosses it if they are too young (Presumably, the Age Line could also be set up to prevent someone to cross who was older than a given age.)

Alohomora (AL-o-ho-MOR-ah)

"aloha" Haw. Farewell + "mora" L. obstacle

Charm that causes a locked door to open.

Animagus (an-i-MAH-jus OR an-i-MAY-jus)

"animal" L. animal + "magus" Pers. magic user

A wizard or witch who can transform into an animal; very rare.

Plural: Animagi(an-i-MAH-jye OR an-i-MAH-gee)

no names or words given

cast on quills before exams.

no incantation given

Charm which creates an innocent-looking mist which hovers above the ground. A person stepping into this mist immediately finds that up and down have reversed and they are hanging from the ground over the endless sky.

Aparecium (a-par-EE-see-um)

"appareo" L. to appear

Makes invisible ink become visible.

Apparition (A-pa-RI-shun)

Apparate, Disapparate

"appareo" L. to appear

Advanced spell used by fully trained wizards to disappear from one place and appear almost instantly somewhere else.

no incantation given

Shoots arrows out of a wand.

Avada Kedavra (uh-VAH-duh kuh-DAH-vruh)

"Killing Curse"

Aramaic: "adhadda kedhabhra" - "let the thing be destroyed".

NOTE: Abracadabra is a cabbalistic charm in Judaic mythology that is supposed to bring healing powers. One of its sources is believed to be from Aramaic avada kedavra, another is the Phoenician alphabet (a-bra-ca-dabra).

Causes instant death in a flash of green light.

Avis (AH-vis)

"avis" L. bird

conjures a flock of small, twittering birds.

no incantation given

Exact effect not mentioned, but one can assume it causes the victim to babble.

reverse of "Summoning Charm"

no incantation given

sends an object away from the caster.

"Curse of the Bogies"

no incantation given

Engorges an opponent's 'bogies' to bat-size, gives them wings, and sets them to attacking his or her face.

no incantation given

Puts someone into a deep sleep; subjects are in a state almost like suspended animation and do not breathe for the duration of the spell.

no incantation given

Spells, which fasten, chains or ropes to restrain someone or something.

no incantation given

Useful spell for Wizarding Duels.

"bluebell" flower with blue blossoms

Creates a quantity of blue flame, which can be directed to a specific place.

No incantation given

Spell which pours non-bursting golden bubbles out of the wand.

No incantation given

Encloses the head of the caster with a bubble of breathable air.

No incantation given

A temporary hex to change someone into a giant canary. After a few moments, the transfigured person molts back into themselves.

No incantation used

This minor spell ignites candles and can make them float in midair.

No incantation used

This spell causes magical chains to snake out of a chair and bind a person to it.

No incantation given

A charm that cheers a person up, makes them happy.

Confundus Charm (con-FUN-dus)

"Confundo" L. to perplex

Causes confusion. A person who is affected by this Charm is said to be Confunded.

"Conjunctiva" L. connecting (as in membrane of the eye) + "-itis" L. inflammation

A spell that affects the eyes and vision of the target.

No incantation used

A spell that creates objects out of thin air.

No incantation given

This spell or spells makes a contract magically unbreakable.

Classification of Transfiguration magic in which one type of creature is transfigured into another.

Cruciatus Curse (KROO-see-AH-tus)

"Cruciatus" L. torture (n.)

See CRUCIO

Crucio (KROO-see-oh)

"Cruciatus Curse"

"Crucio" L. torment (v.)

One of the "Unforgiveable Curses," this spell causes the victim to suffer almost intolerable pain. Some victims of prolonged use of this curse have been driven insane.

"Bogy" uncertain origin: "Old Bogey" = The Devil c. 1836; "bogle" Scottish phantom or goblin c. 1505 and "bogge" terror, possibly from "bwg" Welsh ghost and "bwgwl" fear

Yeah, maybe. But more likely:

"Bogey" British slang: booger

Effect unknown.

Incantation unknown

The Cushioning Charm creates an invisible "pillow" on the handle of the broom to make flying more comfortable.

* Invented by Elliot Smethwyk in 1820.

No incantation needed; automatic response

A charge like that of electricity runs through the body of a Wizard with this automatic defensive spell.

No incantation given

Aside from the fact that it is a spell to defend the caster, little is known about the actual effects produced by this spell.

* Fulbert the Fearful died in 1097 when the Defensive Charm he cast to protect himself backfired.

Deletrius (deh-LEE-tree-us )

"Deleterius" L. destroy, eradicate

Erases the ghost images of spells revealed by the Priori Incantatem spell. Possibly can be used to remove other spell effects as well.

Densaugeo ( den-sah-OO-gi-oh )

"Dens" L. tooth + "augeo" L. grow

Curse which causes the victim's teeth to enlarge grotesquely.

Diffindo (dih-FIN-doe)

"Diffindo" L. cleave, open

Spell that cuts something opens.

Disapparate (dis-AP-a-rate)

"dis-" opposite of, from L. "apart" + "appareo" L. to appear

Apparition, as seen from the place a wizard is leaving.

"Disillusion" Eng. to lose faith

A charm which hides the true, magical nature of something.

Dissendium (dis-EN-dee-um)

Uncertain: "dissocio" L. to sever or divide? Possibly similar in sound to "descend."

"Dissocio" in its verb form means, "to part" or "to seperate" the word "en" can mean both "here!" and "look!" Dium, of course, refers to the sun and normally translates as "day" or "today" but I have seen it used as a command to mean "now." So together Dissendium could mean "part/separate here, now!"

Opens the secret door in the statue of the humped witch.

No incantation used

Sends a jet of sparks out of the wand, which opens a door.

No incantation given

Dries up water.

No incantation given

A magical imitation snow which, unlike real snow, is warm and dry.

Engorgio (en-GOR-gee-oh)

"Engorgement Charm"

"Engorger" Fr. swallows greedily

Spell which causes the target to swell in size.

Ennervate (EN-er-vayt)

"En-" Old French from "in-" L. cause to be + "nerves" Eng. c.1603 strength, from "nervus" L. nerve

Spell used to revive a person who has been hit by a Stunner.

No incantation given

Spells that cause someone to fall in love with the caster.

Expecto Patronum (ex-PEK-toh pa-TROH-num)

"Patronus Charm"

"expecto" L. expect or look for + "patronus" Medieval L. patron saint, symbolizing a patron or assistant

ALTERNATE ETYMOLOGY: "expecto" L. to expel from the chest, i.e. send forth from one's self.

Conjures a Patronus, a silvery phantom shape, usually that of an animal, which is the embodiment of the positive thoughts of the caster. A Patronus will drive away Dementors.

Expelliarmus (ex-pel-ee-AR-mus)

"Disarming Spell"

"Expelo" L. to drive out + "arma" L. weapon

Causes opponent's weapon to fly out of their hand.

No incantation given

Spell that puts out fires.

Feather-light

Spell that makes an object weighs practically nothing.

Ferula (feh-ROO-lah)

"Ferule" alt. spelling of "ferrule" Eng. wooden handle for strength or protection, from "ferula" L. fennel plant

Spell that conjures a wooden rod.

Fidelius Charm (fih-DAY-lee-us)

"fidelis" L. trusty, faithful

Complex and powerful charm that hides a person or persons completely; their location is known only to their designated "Secret Keeper."

Finite Incantatum (fi-NEE-tay in-can-TAH-tum)

"finio" L. settle, end, die + "incantationem" L. the art of enchanting

Stops currently operating spell effects.

No incantation given

Using a Wizard's fire, a person can communicate with another over distance. The head of the person making contact appears in the midst of the flames and they can hold a conversation and even interact physically with the person they are connecting to.

No words given

Changes the properties of fire so that it's heat feels like a warm breeze.

No incantation given

This "tricky little charm" makes the paint on a banner flash different colors.

No incantation given

While "[n]o spell yet devied enables wizards to fly unaided in human form" (QA), various spells create flying effects.

No incantation given

A spell which produces a fountain of wine from the end of the wand.

"Point me"

A simple spell, performed with the wand lying flat on the open palm of the caster. When the words are spoken, the wand rotates to point north.

No incantation given

A spell that causes a person to grow fur.

Furnunculus (fur-NUN-kyoo-lus)

Related to "furnus" L. oven?

Related to "furunculus" L. which means "petty thief" and is the basis of the English word "furuncle," which is a fancy name for "boil" (as in a skin lesion, not the verb for the point at which a liquid becomes a gas). Obviously, at some point, wizards decided it was easier to say the spell when they threw in the extra "n" after the letters f-u-r. Submitted by Claire T. Nollet

Curse that causes boils to break out all over the victim.

A form of magic or class of spells that defend the caster against hexes.

"homo" Gr. the same + "morph": Eng. change shape [force a werewolf NOT to change]

OR

"homo" L. man + "morph": Eng. change shape [force werewolf into human shape]

A good Charm to use against a werewolf. Its exact effects aren't given.

No incantation given

Conjures a horn on the target's tongue. What good this would do anyone is unclear....

No incantation given

Makes a racing broom easier to handle.

No incantation given

Makes an object float in the air.

No spell words given

A nasty kind of curse that could be placed on a broom which would cause the rider to be thrown off, presumably.

Impedimenta (im-ped-ih-MEN-tah)

"Impediment Curse"

"Im-" prefix from L. not +

Stops an object or slows it down.

Imperturbable Charm (IM-per-TUR-ba-bul)

"Im-" prefix from L. not + "perturbo" to change

Creates a magical barrier on an object, such as a door.

Impervius (im-PER-vee-us)

"Im-" prefix from L. not + "pervius" L. letting things through

Makes something waterproof or water repellent.

Imperio (im-PAIR-ee-oh )

"Imperius Curse"

"Impero" L. order, govern, command

One of the "Unforgiveable Curses," this spell causes the victim to be completely under the command of the caster, who can make them do anything they wish.

Incendio (in-SEN-dee-o)

"Incendo" L. to set fire to

Starts a fire.

No incantation given

Sprouts feelers on the victim's head, makes them unable to talk and have to scuttle along the ground.

No incantation given

As the name suggests, this hex removes hair.

No incantation given

Causes the target's legs to wobble uncontrollably.

"Avada Kedavra"

The Avada Kedavra Curse. One of the Unforgivable Curses.

No incantation given

Causes the target's knee to become backwards.

No incantation given

Results in leeks growing out of the target's ears.

Legilimens (le-JIL-i-menz)

"Legens" L. reader + "mens" L. mind

See Legliimency.

Various spells

Levitation allows a person or an object to float up to five feet above the ground.

No incantation given

Madam Pince puts a variety of spells and curses on the books in the Hogwarts library to make sure that kids don't damage them. (At least, not twice...)

No incantation used

Appearing with a soft, crackling sound, this spell creates a handful of shimmering light.

no incantation given

causes an object to become less heavy and thereby easier to carry.

Locomotor Mortis (lo-co-MO-tor MOR-tis)

"Leg-Locker Curse"

"Loco" L. from a place + "motionem" L. motion + "mortis" L. death

Locks together the legs of the victim, making him unable to walk.

Lumos (LOO-mos)

"Lumen" L. light

Causes a small beam of light to shine from the end of the caster's wand.

Lumos Solarum (LOO-mos so-LAR-um)

"Lumos" L. light + "sol" L. sun

Generates a brilliant blast of light, as bright as the sun.

No incantation used

Sends a magical messenger to someone in the form of a silvery dart, rather like a small, ghostly bird.

Mobiliarbus (MO-bi-lee-AR-bus)

"Mobilis" L. movable + "arbor" L. tree

Moves a tree.

Mobilicorpus (MO-bi-lee-COR-pus)

"Mobilis" L. movable + "corpus" L. body

Moves a body.

Morsmordre (mors-MOR-druh)

"The Dark Mark"

"mors" L. death + "mordere" L. to bite

Conjures an immense glowing skull in the sky, comprised of green sparks. There is a snake coming out of the skull's mouth.

* This spell is known only to Death Eaters, who send it up in the sky when they kill. The Dark Mark is seen at the Quidditch World Cup in 1994, conjured up by Barty Crouch Jr. using Harry's wand.

No incantation given

Spells cast to keep Muggles away from a place or object.

Nox (noks)

"Nox" L. night

Turns off the light from a "Lumos" spell.

Obliviate (oh-BLI-vee-ate)

"Memory Charm"

"Oblivisci" L. forget

Modifies or erases portions of a person's memory.

* These spells are used routinely by the Ministry of Magic as they work to keep the Wizarding World a secret from the Muggles.

"Occulto" - L. to hide, conceal, cover + "mens" - L. mind

Specialized branch of magic, not usually taught at Hogwarts, which consists of protecting one's mind against outside intrusion.

Oculus Reparo (AH-kyoo-lus re-PAR-oh)

"oculus" L. eye + "reparare" L. repair, restore

Simple spell which repairs a pair of eyeglasses.

Orchideous (or-KID-ee-us )

"Orchideae" L. name for the orchid plant family

Conjures a bouquet of flowers out of the end of a wand.

"Pack!"

A spell which causes items to assemble themselves into a trunk.

A silvery-white, conjured creature created by using the Patronus Charm. The Patronus is used against Dementors and Lethifolds.

Patronus Charm (pa-TROH-nus)

"Patronus" Medieval L. patron saint.

See EXPECTO PATRONUM

No incantation given

This charm gives a person firey hot breath.

Peskipiksi Pesternomi (pes-kee PIK-see pes-ter-NO-mee)

"Freezing Charm"?

"pesky" + "pixie" + "pester" + "no" + "me"

Lockhart's version of a Freezing Charm.

"Petrificare" L. to make into stone, from "Petra" L. rock

Not a spell so much as a magical effect, caused by seeing the reflected eyes of a Basilisk.

* The Petrifaction effect resembles death, except that the victim is still alive, as if in suspended animation. It takes careful examination to discern whether a victim is in fact Petrified instead of dead. If a ghost is petrified is turns a dark smokey gray and can only be moved by the use of a fan. The antidote is made from mandrake roots (CS9).

Petrificus Totalus (pe-TRI-fi-cus toe-TAH-lus)

"Full Body Bind"

"Petrificare" L. to make into stone + "totalis" L. entire

Turns the entire body of the victim rigid.

Prior Incantato (prye-OR in-can-TAH-toe)

Also: Priori Incantatem

"Reverse Spell Effect"

"Prior" L. former, earlier, preceeding + "incantatare" L. to bewirtch or enchant

Can be cast as a spell, ("Prior Incantato"), in which case it forces a wand to emit a ghost image of the last spell it cast. The images can be dispelled using the Deletrius spell.

When two wands are forced to duel which have core material from the same single animal, the result will be "Priori Incantatem," a display in sequence of the last spells one of the wands cast. Which wand will show the spell effect depends on the willpower of the two wizards involved.

No incantation given

Several charms are used to make the game of Quidditch possible:

Quietus (KWY-uh-tus)

Reverse: Sonorus

"Quietus" L. quiets, peaceful

* Reverses the effect of the Sonorus spell, making the caster's voice normal in volume.

Reducio (re-DOO-see-oh)

Reverse: Engorgio

"Redusen" Middle Eng. diminish, from "reducer" Old Fr. bring back to the source, from" reducere" L. bring, lead

Causes an object to return to it's normal size.

From "redusen" Middle English, borrowed from Old French and Latin, c. 1380: to bring down

Blasts solid objects out of the caster's path.

"Rilascio" It. - to release, to relax, to issue

Releases a jet of firey sparks. Underwater, this spell fires a jet of boiling water.

Reparo (re-PAR-oh)

"Reparare" L. repair, restore

Undoes damage to an object.

No incantation used

Forces an Animagus who has transformed into animal form to revert to their human form. The spell's effect is a bright blue-white flash of light.

Rictusempra (ric-tu-SEM-pra)

"Tickling Charm"

"Rictus" L. gaping mouth, grin + "sempra" L. always

Causes a person to laugh uncontrollably.

Riddikulus (ri-di-KYOO-lus)

"Ridiculum" L. joke, from "ridere" L. to laugh

Defense against a Boggart, forces the creature to take on a silly appearance.

No incantation given

Seals a room with a powerful charm that none but a powerful wizard could break.

No incantation used

Sends out magical ropes from a wand, which ties up someone firmly.

No incantation used

Propels a rowboat along without oars.

Scourgify (SKUR-ji-fy)

Cleans things.

"Scourgify" (?)

Cleans things, fingernails, for example.

Serpensortia (ser-pen-SOR-sha)

"Serpens" L. serpent + "sortir" Old Fr. to go out

Causes a large serpent to burst from the end of the caster's wand.

No incantation given

Spell to cut something.

No incantation given

This spell creates a magical barrier, which will deflect hexes thrown at the caster.

Silencio (sil-EN-see-oh)

"Silencing Charm"

A charm which causes something to be silent.

No incantation given (no, it's not "eat slugs")

Causes the victim to belch up slugs.

Sonorus (so-NO-rus)

Reverse: Quietus

"Sonorus" L. loud

Makes the caster's voice carry over long distances.

Stupefy (STOO-puh-fye)

"Stunner" "Stupefying Charm"

reverses: "Ennervate"

"stupefacio" L. to make senseless, from "stupeo" L. stunned

renders the target of the spell unconscious.

Various, depending on the transfiguration intended

A classification of Transfiguration spells.

No incantation given

A charm used for dragon care.

Tarantallegra (TAIR-an-tuh-LEG-ruh)

"Tarantella" It. dance associated with the tarantula, from Taranto, a city in Italy + "allegro" It. fast

Forces the victim's legs to do a crazy dance.

No incantation given

An unspecified bit of nastiness which can be cast on someone who steals something.

No incantation used; by magical device only

An extremely dangerous magical effect allows a person to travel back in time. Because of the potential for catastrophe should history be altered, time travel is all but forbidden in Wizarding society. Certain magical devices are usable for time travel, but access to them is strictly controlled.

"Trans" L. across +?

"Transmogrify" Eng. verb c.1656, from L. to change or alter greatly and often with grotesque or humorous effect

(c.f. Calvin and Hobbes: his "duplicating machine" is called a Transmogrifier.) Perhaps also related to:

"moggy" Br. slang: cat

Supposedly something which results in a cat being killed.

No incantation given

Causes the ears of the victim to wiggle and twitch uncontrollably.

Harry was hit with this Hex as they practiced Hex-Deflection in Defense Against the Dark Arts class

Incantation not given

Makes an object unbreakable.

Three curses in particular are known as Unforgivable because using them on another human being can result in a life term in Azkaban. These three curses were used extensively by Voldemort's followers during his rise to power in the 1970s. Voldemort himself on Harry Potter used one, the Killing Curse,, but the curse backfired and Voldemort was defeated.

The three curses are:

Cruciatus Curse (Crucio)

Imperius Curse (Imperio)

Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra)

During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Harry tried to use the Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix Lestrange, but it didn't have much effect. She taunted him:

"Never used an Unforgivable Curse before, have you, boy? You need to mean them, Potter! You need to really cause pain--to enjoy it--righteous anger won't hurt me for long..."

See IMPERIO

Incantation not given

A magical effect on a place; makes it impossible to plot its location on a map.

No incantation given

Makes something or someone disappears.

Waddiwasi (wah-di-WAH-see)

"vadd" Sw. a soft mass + "vas y" Fr. go there

It makes sense because Lupin didn't just make a wad of gum leave that keyhole, but directed it into Peeves' nose. (Contributed by Alina)

Shoots a wad of gum out of a keyhole.

No incantation given

Emits red or green sparks from the wand, used as a signal

No incantation given

Emits an animated ribbon from the tip of the wand that spells words or forms numbers

Wingardium Leviosa (Win-GAR-dee-um lev-ee-OH-sa)

"Levitation"

"Wing" + "arduus" L. high, steep + "levo" L. to raise up, levitate

Causes a feather to levitate.

Causes objects to hold more than their outer dimensions would seem to allow.