The Akashic Record

Being a Compendium of Lore, Onomatology, Miscellanea, and Pareidolia

Relating to the Universe of Harry Potter

With Commentary Esoteric and Exoteric

Compiled by Petréa Mitchell

This is the downloadable form of the Akashic Record. To get the latest version of this reference, go to:
http://www.m5p.com/~pravn/hp/

Spoiler level: End of book 1

A

Abbott, Hannah (PS ch. 7): A Hufflepuff, same year as Harry.

Etym: The Middle English spelling of abbot, just the thing to go along with the Fat Friar.

Adalbert Waffling: Etym: No etymology found. Name of a bishop of Hamburg-Bremen, and a Lombard king of Italy.

Adrian Pucey: Etym: From Latin Hadrianus "of the Adriatic", name of an emperor and several popes.

Agrippa (PS ch. 6): Henrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim, at various times the secretary to Charles V, physician to Louis of Savoy, theologian, military entrepreneur, philosopher, orator, public advocate (discharged for defending an accused witch) and expert on occultism. His De occulta philosophia was one of the biggest influences on the Renaissance concept of magic, particularly Kabalism, and his writings and fame made him a figure in early versions of the Faust legend.

Featured in the Famous Witches and Wizards series of trading cards.

akashic record: A New Age concept derived from Hindu occultism. An alternate dimension or invisible energy in which psychic vibrations of every object and event, past, present, and future, are stored, thus providing a mechanism for clairvoyance. I chose this name because all the good relevant ones were taken, and in the faint hope that perhaps I have managed to make a forward reference.

Alberic Grunnion: Etym: A Germanic name, formed from from oelf "elf" + riic "power".

Albus Dumbledore: Etym: From a root meaning "white". Cognate to Albion, a poetic term for Britain, usually translated as "White Isle".

Algie (PS ch. 7): Neville Longbottom's great-uncle who was forever trying to get Neville's magic to manifest itself.

Etym: Of Norman-French origin, meaning "with whiskers" or "mustaches".

Alicia Spinnet: Etym: Ultimately from Old German athal "noble" + haidu "kind, sort" (the equivalent to Modern English -hood).

Alohomora: Incantation for an unlocking charm.

Etym: Possibly Hawai`ian aloha "hello, goodbye", plus something I can't identify.

Angelina Johnson: Etym: "Little angel"; also a tree of tropical America, a genus of Leguminosae, with showy purple flowers.

Anti-Cheating Spell: Used on the quills the Hogwarts student use for their written exams. Probable mechanism: the pen senses when it's about to be used to write information obtained illicitly. Maybe if the student doesn't think they're cheating...

Argus Filch: Etym: A figure from Greek myth with a hundred eyes, killed by Hermes, after which his eyes were transferred to the tail of the peacock. By extension, a vigilant person.

Arsenius Jigger: Etym: Arsenious means "of or relating to arsenic".

Arthur Weasley: Etym: From the name of the legendary king. Various Celtic derivations have been proposed, but most likely from a Roman gens named Artorius.

asphodel: In poetic use, the narcissus; ancient references are to the genus Asphodelus. An ingredient for the Draught of Living Death.

B

Bagshot, Bathilda (PS ch. 5): Author of A History of Magic.

Etym: A type of ammunition. Looking at this whole name, it appears the history of magic must have been pretty, um, exciting...

Bane [Banes or Bain]:

Etym: Bunch of choices here: from a nickname meaning "bones"; a Welsh patronymic meaning "anvil"; Gaelic for "white, fair"; Middle English meaning "welcoming, friendly"; or Middle English/Old French meaning "bath". Or perhaps the character name is just from the modern English word.

Baruffio (PS ch. 10): A wizard infamous for misspeaking a charm and conjuring up a buffalo.

Etym: No etymology.

Bathilda Bagshot: Etym: OED has an entry for batilde, an obsolete form of a word meaning "embattled".

Beater: A member of a Quidditch team who deflects Bludgers away from their teammates (and, ideally, toward the opponents).

beechwood: Various trees of the genus Fagus, all tall, wide-spreading, and preferring temperate climes. The wood is durable under water, and used for cabinetry, tool handles, and shipping containers. Also cultivated as a shade tree.

Beginner's Guide to Transformation, A: The first-year textbook for Transfiguration.

Bell, Katie (PS ch. 12): A Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Etym: Does in fact come from Middle English for "bell".

Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans: Jellybean-like magical candies of any flavor imaginable... including the ones you don't want to imagine.

bezoar: This term has been applied to various substances believed to be universal antidotes, but most commonly to a concretion formed around foreign matter in the gut of certain ruminants. Originally these were taken from the wild goat and antelope of Persia, which are also known as the bezoar goat and bezoar antelope.

Bill Weasley [William]:

Etym: From Old German vilja "will" + helma "helmet".

Binns, (first name unknown): The teacher of the History of Magic classes at Hogwarts, and unusual among history teachers for being as dead as his lectures.

Etym: From the Old English name Binna, of uncertain origin, or a word for an open manger, stall, or hollow place.

Black, Sirius: The person who lent Hagrid his flying motorcycle to take the infant Harry to the Dursleys'.

Etym: Just means black, probably... as a side note, though, some instances of this surname come from Old English blaac, the equivalent of French blanc... meaning "white"!

Black Malfoy, Narcissa: Etym: See below.

Blaise Zabini: Etym: Full etymology unknown but cognate to Blasius, the name of the patron saint of wool-workers and sufferers of throat diseases. Once very popular in England, a major wool producer. ECN: "The only relic of the trade in Romsey, Hants (once a wool staple), is an inn called the Bishop Blaise."

Bletchley (PS ch. 11): The Keeper for the Slytherin Quidditch team in Harry's first year.

Bloody Baron: The house ghost of Slytherin.

Bludger: A small, hard ball used in Quidditch. Bludgers fly around the field of play attempting to knock players off their brooms.

Etym: Undoubtedly from bludgeon. OED has an entry for bludger, actually, but in the interest of preserving our G rating we must move on.

bluebell fire: A magically conjured blue fire that can be carried around in a jar.

Body-Bind: A curse that paralyzes the target completely. Incantation: Petrificatus Totalus.

Bones, (first names unknown) (PS ch. 4): The last name of a wizard couple killed by Voldemort.

Etym: Derived via Yiddish from Italian bona "good".

Bones, Susan (PS ch. 7): A Hufflepuff, in the same year as Harry.

Etym: See above.

Bonfire Night: November 5th, in England the commemoration of the Gunpowder Plot. Typically involves lots of fireworks.

Boot, Terry (PS ch. 8): A Ravenclaw, the same year as Harry, and a member of Dumbledore's Army.

Etym: From Middle English for "boot" or Dutch for "boat".

Brockelhurst, Mandy (PS ch. 8): A Ravenclaw, the same year as Harry.

Etym: Placename, after a wooded hill that was home to badgers. Brock on its own has been a word for various small animals, including badgers.

brooms: The flying broom is an ancient and venerable mode of wizard transportation, and an indispensable part of Quidditch. Types of brooms include the Comet Two Sixty and the Nimbus Two Thousand.

Brown, Lavender (PS ch. 8): A Gryffindor, the same year as Harry.

Etym: Really means "brown".

Bulstrode, Millicent (PS ch. 8): A Slytherin, the same year as Harry.

Etym: A place name, from Old English burh "fortress, town" or bula "bull" + strood "brushwood".

C

Cadmus Peverell: Etym: The legendary founder of Thebes. OED also includes Cadmean victory, "a victory involving one's own ruin".

Caput Draconis: The first password to the Gryffindor tower when Harry arrives at Hogwarts.

Etym: Latin for "dragon's head".

Cauldron Cakes: A type of wizard candy, probably something akin to a cupcake.

centaur: A mythical creature with the body of a horse, and the top half of a human attached where the neck would be. Rowling's centaurs are largely peaceful but wish to keep to themselves. A group of them lives in the Forbidden Forest.

Charlie Weasley [Charles]:

Etym: From ceorl, Old English for "a man".

Charms: One of the basic subjects that all students at Hogwarts have to study, taught by Professor Flitwick. A general term for all sorts of minor spells of instantaneous effect.

Chaser: One of the three players on a Quidditch team who pass the Quaffle between them and attempt to throw it through one of the goal hoops. A goal is worth 10 points.

Chocolate Frogs: A wizard candy, undistinguished except for the line of Famous Witches and Wizards trading cards that come with them.

Christmas pudding: A rich fruit pudding, typically splashed with brandy and set alight just before serving. Hiding a silver coin in it is also traditional.

Circe: An enchantress who figures in the Odyssey. She transformed Odysseus's crew into pigs. Featured on a Famous Witches and Wizards trading card.

Cliodna: A druid featured on a Famous Witches and Wizards trading card.

Cokeworth: Location of the Railview Hotel.

Comet Two Sixty: A brand of flying broom.

Common Welsh Green: A type of dragon native to the British Isles.

conk: British slang for "nose".

Cornelius Fudge: Etym: St. Cornelius was pope from 251 to 253, and is noted for taking a liberal attitude toward Christians who had renounced their faith under duress. He was succeeded by St. Lucius.

Crabbe: One of Draco Malfoy's cronies.

Etym: From a nickname for someone with an odd gait, like a crab, or a cantankerous person, as a shortening of crabapple.

Crockford, Doris (PS ch. 5): A particularly effusive fan of Harry's that he met in The Leaky Cauldron.

Etym: From the placename Crockford Bridge; further etymology is uncertain and probably not relevant. Also the name of a London gambling club, and the colloquial designation of a reference work produced by the Anglican Church.

curses: Spells that injure or impede the target. Some require only a wand and a quick incantation, but stronger ones require the caster to maintain line-of-sight and keep up the incantation for the full time of effect. The terms jinx and hex appear to be equivalent, and are used in curse names for alliterative effect.

Curses and Countercurses: A book seen in Diagon Alley.

Curse of the Bogies: Something Professor Quirrell mentioned in class. Bogie has varied meanings.

D

Daily Prophet: A daily newspaper, the primary news source for most British wizards.

Dark Forces, The: A Guide to Self-Protection: The first-year textbook for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Dean Thomas: Etym: From Middle English dene "valley", or deen, a borrowing of a word that ultimately meant "a leader of ten men".

Dedalus Diggle: Etym: Alternate spelling of Daedalus, of course.

Defense Against the Dark Arts: A required subject for all Hogwarts students. Taught by Professor Quirrell.

de Mimsy-Porpington: see Mimsy-Porpington.

Dennis (PS ch. 3): Part of Dudley Dursley's gang.

Etym: Derived from Dionysius, though the exact etymology is uncertain. St. Denis is a patron saint of France, who according to legend was martyred by decapitation. He is portrayed in art as a headless living figure.

Devil's Snare: A magical plant which grabs hold of anyone within range. (What it plans to do with them next has not been recorded.) It recoils from bright light.

Devon: A region of the UK which is home to the Flamels.

Diagon Alley: A wizard shopping district somewhere in London, accessible from The Leaky Cauldron. Establishments therein include Eeylops Owl Emporium, Flourish and Blotts, Gringotts, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, and Ollivander's.

Diggle, Dedalus: A wizard who, according to Professor McGonagall, "never had much sense". Harry met him at The Leaky Cauldron.

Etym: Probably from the word dighel, meaning secret or obscure, though the proper etymology of the surname is different.

dittany: OED lists a number of possible plants but, for our purposes, probably Origanum dictamnus aka Dictamnus creticus, once alleged to have medicinal virtues.

Doris Crockford: Etym: The name of a sea nymph in Greek myth, origin unknown. Noted as a given name only as far back as 1819.

Draco Malfoy: Etym: Latin for "dragon", though the direct source for Mr. Malfoy's name is probably the Athenian ruler who gave us the word draconian.

dragons: Many dragon species are still found in the wild throughout Europe. All appear to be are variations on the typical European dragon, with wings and fiery breath. Specific varieties mentioned so far are the Common Welsh Green, Hebridean Black, and Norwegian Ridgeback.

Although captive dragon breeding is now outlawed, dragons are still useful to wizards in many ways. Their heartstrings are used in wands, and Albus Dumbledore alone has invented twelve uses for their blood.

Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit: One of Hagrid's collection of dragon books.

Dragon Keeper's Guide, A: Another of Hagrid's collection of dragon books.

Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland: Yet another of Hagrid's collection of dragon books.

Draught of Living Death: An extremely powerful sleeping potion.

Drooble's Best Blowing Gum: A wizard candy. Probably best to steer clear of it, because...

Etym: One of a number of variations on the French word for "trouble".

Dudley Dursley: Etym: From an Old English placename, composed of the name Dudda + leeah "wood, clearing", and maybe a pun on him being a bit of a dud as a human being.

Dumbledore, Albus: A bowling and chamber music aficionado, a gourmet of candies, and the headmaster of Hogwarts. Has been known to dabble in projects useful to wizard society, such as discovering the 12 current uses for dragon's blood, and defeating the dark wizard Grindelwald. Said to be an ex-Gryffindor.

Etym: Old word for a bumblebee, from dumble "stupid, dull, slow" + dor "insect that makes a loud humming noise".

Dundee: A city in northern Scotland.

Dursley, Dudley: Harry's cousin, a fine young lad who knows how to get the best out of life, at least from people who are swayed by screaming tantrums.

Etym: Stated by Rowling to be from the place name, which for the record is from the Old English given name Deeorsige + leeah "wood, clearing".

Dursley, Marge: Harry's aunt-in-law, Vernon Dursley's sister, dog fancier, occasional babysitter, and dispenser of time-honored wisdom on the subject of breeding.

Etym: See above.

Dursley, Petunia: Harry's aunt, Lily Potter's sister, who selflessly gave up several cubic feet of storage space to house her weird nephew.

Etym: See above.

Dursley, Vernon: A respectable businessman, the director of Grunnings, a doting father, and really not at all to blame for his nephew being a freak.

Etym: See above.

E

eagle owl: A type of owl found across Eurasia; the largest of the European owls. Draco Malfoy has one.

ebony: Wood from several tree species in the genus Diospyros, favored for its durability, hardness, and ability to take high polish. In India it was used for drinking cups for its supposed ability to neutralize poison. Use these days is mainly decorative.

Eeylops Owl Emporium: A store in Diagon Alley, where Harry got Hedwig.

Elfric the Eager (PS ch. 16): The leader of a notable historical uprising.

Etym: From the Old English words for "elf" and "ruler".

Elixir of Life: A formula that extends the lifespan indefinitely, made possible with a Philosopher's Stone.

Emeric the Evil: Some historical personage who could be confused with Uric the Oddball.

Etym: From an Old German root Im- or Em-, of unknown meaning, + ric "ruler". Also, emerick is an obsolete alternate form of emery.

Emeric Switch: Etym: See above.

Emma Dobbs: Etym: A hypocoristic form of various Old German names combined with ermin/irmin "whole, universal".

Enid (PS ch. 7): Neville Longbottom's great-aunt.

Etym: Celtic name of uncertain derivation. In Arthurian legend, the wife of Geraint, noted as an example of long-suffering patience.

Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi: The inscription on the Mirror of Erised, describing soed ti tahw.

F

Famous Witches and Wizards: A series of trading cards packaged with Chocolate Frogs. Featured people include Agrippa, Circe, Cliodna, Albus Dumbledore, Nicholas Flamel, Alberic Grunnion, Hengist of Woodcroft, Merlin, Morgana, and Paracelsus.

Fang: Hagrid's dog, a boarhound.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A first-year textbook. Also available in a Muggle edition.

Fat Friar: The house ghost of Hufflepuff.

Fat Lady: The painting that guards the Gryffindor dormitory.

Figg, Mrs. (PS ch. 2): A neighbor of the Dursleys who looks after Harry occasionally.

Etym: The name is properly derived from fig, but my guess is that if there is any meaning to it, Rowling is thinking more along the lines of the surname Figgis, from a nickname for a trustworthy or reliable person.

Filch, Argus: The caretaker of Hogwarts and terror of curfew-breakers.

Etym: Probably just the English word... thus, Argus Filch is on the lookout for all who might steal. (Doesn't do a very good job of it, does he?)

Finch-Fletchley, Justin (PS ch. 7): A Hufflepuff, the same year as Harry.

Etym: Finch means what it looks like, and I've no idea about the other part.

Finnigan, Seamus (PS ch. 7): A Gryffindor, the same year as Harry. His mother was a witch, and didn't tell his Muggle father until after they were married.

Etym: From the Gaelic name Fionn, meaning "white".

Firenze: A centaur who lives in the Forbidden Forest.

Etym: The modern Italian name for Florence.

Flamel, Nicholas (PS ch. 6): A 665-year-old alchemist and opera lover, a friend of Dumbledore's, and the creator of the only Philosopher's Stone known to be in existence.

Etym: The name of an actual historical alchemist. The Spell Binder has a lengthy article on him.

Flamel, Perenelle (PS ch. 13): Nicholas Flamel's wife, a mere 658 years old.

Flint, Marcus (PS ch. 11): A Slytherin, five years ahead of Harry. Chaser and captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team during Harry's first year.

Etym: Name for someone who lived near a notable outcrop of flint, or nickname for a hard-hearted individual.

Flitwick: The Charms teacher at Hogwarts.

Etym: A town in Bedfordshire; no etymology found, though.

Flourish and Blotts: A bookstore in Diagon Alley, the place where Hogwarts students buy their textbooks.

Etym: A flourish, in penmanship, is an added decoration. To blot is to dry wet ink by pressing something absorbent (like a blotting-paper) onto it, to absorb the excess and keep it from smudging. When writing with a fountain pen or quill, one would sign with a flourish and then blot it.

Fluffy: A cerberid dog acquired by Hagrid and put to work guarding the Philosopher's Stone.

Forbidden Forest: The woods adjoining Hogwarts, home to all sorts of magical creatures, including centaurs and possibly a werewolf or two.

Forgetfulness Potion: The final exam for Harry's first year of Potions.

Fred Weasley [Frederick]:

Etym: From Old German frithu "peace" + ric "ruler". The name of lots and lots of German kings.

From Egg to Inferno: Another of Hagrid's collection of books on dragon-rearing.

Fudge, Cornelius: The current Minister of Magic, although apparently unable to handle the job without constant advice from Dumbledore. If political events in the books match actual history, Fudge is a Tory (in fact, he bears a suspicious resemblance to one particular Tory) who is due to be replaced sometime in book 6 or 7 when Labour takes over the government.

Etym: Of all the meanings available, I think we should look at "false" or "clumsily forged".

G

Galleon: A gold coin, equivalent to 17 Sickles or 493 Knuts.

Etym: Probably from the meaning "a great prize or catch", referring to the capture of Spanish galleons by English privateers.

garlic: Rumored to be the source of the smell coming from Professor Quirrell's turban. Garlic has been credited with numerous medical powers, and the ability to ward off vampires.

George Weasley: Etym: The patron saint of England, whose dragon-killing exploits, said to have happened in Libya, may be a transfer of the Perseus myth. The name is from Greek for "farmer".

ghosts: The spirits of the dead which linger for some reason. Hogwarts has about 20 ghosts in residence, including the Bloody Baron, the Fat Friar, the Grey Lady, Nearly Headless Nick, Peeves, and Professor Binns.

Ginny Weasley (Ginevra):

Etym: A variant of the name we know best as Guenivere, originally from a Celtic root meaning "white, shining".

goblins: The bankers of the wizard world. As a species which specializes in handling money, they are required to be short, ugly, and unpleasant in accordance with the long tradition enshrined in the Secret Protocols of the Elders of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Godric's Hollow: Where Harry's parents were living when they were killed by Voldemort. A fictional place.

Golden Snitch: A tiny, winged ball used in Quidditch. It flies around the field of play attempting to not get caught by the Seekers. Catching the Snitch earns 150 points for the catching team and ends the game.

Gordon (PS ch. 3): A member of Dudley Dursley's gang.

Goshawk, Miranda (PS ch. 5): Author of the Standard Book of Spells series.

Etym: Astur palumbarius and relatives, primarily short-winged, forest-dwelling accipters. All the other textbook authors named have names clearly relating to the subject of their books, but I'm at a loss to explain this one. A pun on a real-world author's name, perhaps?

Goyle: The slightly stupider of Draco Malfoy's cronies.

Etym: A deep trench or ravine. Or maybe intended to make us think of gargoyle.

Granger, Hermione: One of Harry's two best friends, and the smartest student in the school; a fighter for truth, justice, and getting those lazy slobs around her to do some real studying.

Etym: A word for a farm bailiff, responsible for overseeing the collection of rent. In the US, the Granger movement fought on behalf of farmers against the monopolistic grain transport practices of the railroads after the Civil War.

Great Hall: The biggest indoor space in the Hogwarts castle; where the students and staff usually dine. The ceiling is enchanted to look like the sky outdoors.

Great Humberto, The (PS ch. 3): A stage magician (well, one assumes...) whose TV show on Monday nights is one of Dudley Dursley's favorites.

Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century: A book Hermione read to catch up on wizard culture.

Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century: One of the books in the Hogwarts library.

Gregory the Smarmy (PS ch. 9): A statue that conceals a secret passage out of Hogwarts.

Etym: As a name, from a Greek word meaning "to be watchful".

Grey Lady: The house ghost of Ravenclaw.

Grindelwald (PS ch. 6): A dark wizard defeated by Dumbledore in 1945, likely on or before May 7th. (The mess in the Pacific was presumably still the work of mere Muggles.)

Etym: Grindel means "fierce, angry" and wald is German for "forest". Grindelwald is also the name of a place in south central Switzerland.

Gringotts: The British wizards' bank, run by goblins and based in Diagon Alley.

Griphook (PS ch. 5): A goblin working at Gringotts.

Etym: Probably invented.

Grunnings: The drill-making firm of which Vernon Dursley is the director.

Grunnion, Alberic (PS ch. 6): A person featured on a Famous Witches and Wizards trading card. No further info found.

Gryffindor House: The house that Harry belongs to; it selects for bravery and leadership qualities. The house ghost is Nearly Headless Nick, and the head of the house is Professor McGonagall. Badge: Gules, a lion rampant to sinister Or.

H

Hagrid, Rubeus: The Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, a giant of a man with a heart to match, especially when it comes to exotic and dangerous animals (cf. Norbert and Fluffy). Wand (supposedly destroyed, but strongly hinted to be hidden in his umbrella): oak, bendy, 16".

Etym: According to Rowling, "If you were hagrid-- it's a dialect word-- you'd had a bad night. Hagrid is a big drinker-- he's had a lot of bad nights."

Hannah Abbott: Etym: From Hebrew for "He (God) has favored me". In the Bible, the mother of Samuel, and in the Talmud, a prophetess; her prayer exemplifies successful petitions to God.

Harry Potter: Etym: Stated by Rowling on numerous occasions to just be her favorite male name.

Head Boy: A seventh-year student chosen for leadership and scholastic abilities who shares the prefects' duties.

Head Girl: A seventh-year student chosen for leadership and scholastic abilities who shares the prefects' duties.

Hebridean Black: A type of dragon native to the British Isles.

Hedwig: Harry's owl, named after someone he read about in A History of Magic.

Etym: Stated by Rowling to be a medieval saint, which would be St. Hedwig of Andechs. Another possibility is the devout but not canonized medieval woman who was crowned "king" of Poland at the age of 9, strongly supported religion and scholarship, and caused the restoration of the university of Kraków, which became the Jagiellonian University. (Here's the English root page.)

Hengist of Woodcroft (PS ch. 6): Was featured on a Famous Witches and Wizards trading card. Might be an actual historical person, but I haven't found any info on him.

Herbology: A required course at Hogwarts, taught by Professor Sprout.

Hermione Granger: Etym: A derivative of Hermes. Used by Shakespeare in A Winter's Tale as the name of a queen falsely accused of adultery, who dies of the shock when the evidence in her favor is disregarded.

Higgs, Terence (PS ch. 12): The Seeker for the Slytherin Quidditch team in Harry's first year.

Etym: From the medieval given name Hicke, a form of Richard, whose etymology is uncertain; may be riic "ruler" + heard "hard".

History of Magic: A required course at Hogwarts, taught by Professor Binns.

Hogwarts: The school for young wizards in the British Isles, housed in a massive castle with 142 shifting staircases, living paintings, numerous ghosts, and pretty much everything else that would have made your school the least bit interesting.

Hogwarts Express: The train that runs from King's Cross to Hogwarts at the beginning of the school year, and back at the end.

Hogwarts, a History: One of the books Hermione read to get ready for the start of school.

holly: Shrubs and trees of the genus Ilex, reputed to have protective powers. Harry's wand probably was made with English holly (I. aquifolium).

Etym: Rowling has given her reason for using it as its association with life and also with the word holy. Unfortunately, the second part is folk etymology; the word holly goes back to an Indo-European stem meaning "to prick". (Hollyhock, on the other hand, evolved from holy hock.)

Hooch, Madam: The flying instructor at Hogwarts, and usually the referee for inter-house Quidditch games.

Etym: No etymology. There was a minor Dutch painter named Pieter de Hooch, or Hoogh, or Hooghe (1629-1684).

Hufflepuff, Helga: One of the four founders of Hogwarts.

Etym: See below.

Hufflepuff House: One of the four houses of Hogwarts, it emphasizes hard work, goodness, and self-sacrifice. The house of the saints. Badge: Or, a brock rampant reguardant, at best guess, anyway. House colors are supposed to be black and gold. The house ghost is the Fat Friar.

Etym: Invented; along the lines of "huff and puff".

Humberto: see The Great Humberto.

I

Important Modern Magical Discoveries: A book in the Hogwarts library.

incantations: The verbal components of spells. Incantations come in a variety of languages. Oddly, modern-language spells which contain verbs are in the imperative (the command form) but the Latin ones are in the indicative (that is, descriptive of action). There may be a deep reason for this, but it's probably just because Rowling was never forced to take Latin. I was, and by golly I'm going to get some use out of it. Imperative forms are provided for the curious.

Inter-House Championship: The competition between the Hogwarts houses to see which can accumulate the most points by the end of the year.

invisibility cloak: An extremely rare magical item which makes the wearer(s) totally invisible to normal sight, though it is penetrable with any kind of magical sight. Harry's father left one to him.

J

James Potter: Etym: A variation of Jacob, from Hebrew âqoob, whose meaning is not clear. Folk etymology gives a meaning of "he seized the heel" or "he supplanted". St. James the disciple, along with St. John, are sometimes called boanerges, Greek for "sons of thunder", for their fiery zeal.

Jigger, Arsenius (PS ch. 5): Author of Magical Drafts and Potions.

Etym: 1.5 fluid ounces; a measurement used for alcoholic drinks. So, a poisoned drink. Jeez, it's like everything associated with potions has to be evil and nasty.

Johnson, Angelina (PS ch. 12): A Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Etym: Patronymic form of John, which is from the Hebrew name Johanan "Jehovah has favored".

Jordan, Lee (PS ch. 7): A Gryffindor and a close friend of Fred and George Weasley. The announcer at inter-House Quidditch matches.

Etym: As a personal name, from an Old Norse or Old German root meaning "land". As the river, from the Hebrew for "flowing down".

Justin Finch-Fletchley: Etym: From Latin justus "just", the name of two Byzantine emperors and a saint; also brings to mind the emperor Justinian.

K

Katie Bell [Katherine]:

Etym: St. Katherine or Catherine of Alexandria was a scholarly woman who was imprisoned for converting the wife and soldiers of the emperor Maxentius. He is said to then have dispatched his philosophers to convince her by logical arguments to denounce her faith, only to find that she instead converted them. Later she was martyred, and a particular instrument of torture associated with this is known as "St. Katherine's Wheel". The etymology of this name is unknown.

Keeper: The player on a Quidditch team who attempts to keep the Quaffle from going through any of the goal hoops.

King's Cross: A major train station in London, and the point of origin for the Hogwarts Express.

knickerbocker glory: A confection similar to a large ice cream sundae with all the attendant toppings, sauces, etc., traditionally served in a very tall glass.

Knut: 1/493 of a Galleon, 1/29 of a Sickle.

Etym: Not sure, maybe just a variation of nut, the coins being brownish and all.

L

Lavender Brown: Etym: Lavandula vera, used for perfumes. The flower signifies distrust.

Leaky Cauldron, The: A wizards' pub located somewhere in London; the primary entrance to Diagon Alley.

Lee Jordan: Etym: The sheltered side of something, or dregs. As a name, from Old English leeah "meadow".

Leg-Locker Curse: A spell that paralyzes the legs. Incantation: Locomotor Mortis.

Licorice Wands: A wizard candy, undoubtedly very tasty if you happen to like licorice.

Lily Potter: Etym: As a personal name, probably derives from a pet form of Elizabeth. In the plant world, anything in the genus Lilium. Different types of lily have different meanings; if a specific one is intended, it's probably "purity and sweetness", the white lily. Outside possibilities are "majesty", for the imperial lily, or "return of happiness", the lily of the valley.

Lisa Turpin: Etym: Another nickname from Elizabeth, which is from Hebrew Elisheba, "my God (is) satisfaction".

Little Whinging: The town in Surrey in which the Dursleys live. Does not appear to be a real town.

Locomotor Mortis: Incantation for the Leg-Locker Curse.

Etym: Latin, "appendage" and "death".

Longbottom, Neville: A Gryffindor, same year as Harry, with the worst memory in his class.

Etym: Place name from western Yorkshire, from Middle English for "long valley".

M

MacDougal, Morag (PS ch. 7): A Hogwarts student of the same year as Harry, house unknown.

Etym: From the Gaelic name Dubhghall, from dubh "black" + gall "stranger".

Magical Drafts and Potions: A first-year textbook for Hogwarts students.

Magical Theory: A first-year textbook for Hogwarts students.

mahogany: A tropical hardwood from several trees of the family Meliaceae, most often the West Indies mahogany, used mainly in furniture and paneling.

Malcolm (PS ch. 3): Part of Dudley Dursley's gang.

Etym: From Gaelic maol-Columb, "servant or disciple of Columb". Columb is the Gaelic form of the Latin Columba "dove", and was the name of a saint known as "the apostle of the Picts". Malcolm was also the name of several Scottish kings.

Malfoy, Draco: A Slytherin, the same year as Harry, who generously offered to introduce Harry to the "in" crowd and has not yet gotten over being snubbed.

Etym: Stated by Rowling to be an invented name, from the French mal + foy or foi. Could be taken to mean "bad faith" as in a lack of faith or a false promise, or "faith in evil".

Malkin, Madam (PS ch. 5): Proprietor of Robes for All Occasions in Diagon Alley.

Etym: As a surname, derived either from the medieval female given name Malle, or the Yiddish name Malke, from the Hebrew word malka "queen". OED also gives it as a name for a woman of the lower classes in various proverbial expressions; the name of a female spectre or demon; dialectual name for a cat; or an effeminate man. If I had to guess, I'd go with the female spectre.

Mandy Brockelhurst [Amanda]:

Etym: Latin for "fit to be loved", also translated as "beloved".

maple: Any tree of the genus Acer, comprising the sugar maple, several varieties that provide a dense, hard wood used in furniture, and many ornamental trees.

Marcus Flint: Etym: Probably derived from Mars. If this name is meant as a historical reference, then it's got to be Marcus Antonius aka Mark Antony.

Marge (Marjorie) Dursley (PS ch. 2):

Etym: From a French form of Margaret, derived from the Greek for "pearl". St. Margaret is the patron saint of Scotland.

Mars: Stemming from its association with the Roman god of war, Mars is often associated with conflict and death in astrology.

McGonagall, Minerva: Head of Gryffindor House, and the Transfiguration instructor.

Etym: Patronymic from the name Congal, composed of the Old Celtic words for "high" and "valor", appropriate for a Gryffindor. However, the professor is actually named for a Scottish poet reputed to be the worst ever to, er, grace the English language.

McGuffin, Jim (PS ch. 6): A TV weatherman.

Etym: Name etymology is probably not relevant. The name was used as a term by Alfred Hitchcock to mean an object that is significant to a plot. Okay, that's probably not relevant here either.

McKinnon (PS ch. 4): The last name of a wizard couple killed by Voldemort.

Etym: Anglicized form of Mac Fhionghuin, from the name meaning "fair born" or "beloved son".

Merlin (PS ch. 6): The best-known wizard in English folklore, and also apparently in the British wizard community, as evidenced by the Order of Merlin.

Millicent Bulstrode: Etym: From the Old German name Amalasuintha, composed of amal "work" + swintha "strong".

Mimsy-Porpington, Sir Nicholas de: Aka Nearly Headless Nick, the house ghost of Gryffindor.

Etym: Mimsy was a word invented by Lewis Carroll for his poem "Jabberwocky", and has been defined as "prim, prudish, contemptible". No idea about Porpington.

Minerva McGonagall: Etym: Probably of Etruscan origin, this is the Roman equivalent to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and valor.

Minister of Magic: The head of the Ministry of Magic.

Ministry of Magic: A secret Cabinet-level department of the UK government, charged with providing civil services to wizard-dom. The current Minister of Magic is Cornelius Fudge.

Miranda Goshawk: Etym: Invented by Shakespeare, from Latin for "worthy to be admired".

Miriam Strout: Etym: Probably, like Mary, from the Hebrew for "wished-for child", though the alternative merî, "rebellion" has been posited.

Mirror of Erised: A magical device which entraps its viewer by showing them impossible scenes of what thay most desire, entrapping the viewer to stare blankly at it for hours. Muggles have managed to build a crude version of this.

Modern Magical History: A book in the Hogwarts library.

Molly Weasley: Etym: A form of Mary, from a Hebrew name probably meaning "wished-for child".

monkshood: see wolfsbane.

Moon (PS ch. 7): A student in the same year as Harry, house unknown.

Etym: Several possibilities: the French town Moyon; Anglo-Norman French moun "monk"; Cornish mon "thin"; or a diminutive of the Gaelic word for "early, timely".

Morag MacDougal: Etym: Gaelic, a diminutive of mor(a), meaning "the sun".

Morgana (PS ch. 6): A sorceress who, in some versions of the Arthurian legend, was Arthur's sister and helped bring about his downfall. Featured in the Famous Witches and Wizards trading card series.

mountain troll: The variety of troll that got loose in Hogwarts on Halloween; apparently one of the lesser varieties.

Mr. Paws (PS ch. 3): One of Mrs. Figg's cats.

Muggle: 1) A person who is not part of, or was not raised in, the wizard society. 2) A person with no magical powers.

Etym: Stated by Rowling to be invented from the British slang meaning of mug, "a dupe". Coincidentally an actual archaic English word, as has been discussed at length elsewhere.

Mugwump: Albus Dumbledore is a (or the) supreme one.

Etym: Not sure of the meaning in this context, but it was 18th/19th century slang for a person disinterested in party politics, an independent thinker, or, alternatively, a major "boss". The term originates from a Natick Indian word for a major chief.

N

Nearly Headless Nick: The students' nickname for Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington.

nettle wine: Believe it or not, somebody out there actually makes this...

Neville Longbottom: Etym: From a two French towns of the same name, or an Anglicized form of Ó Niadh, from a name meaning "warrior". The name of various earls; also the first Lord Latimer of the village of Snape. The Battle of Neville's Cross, October 17, 1346, was a notable English victory over the Scots, who were allied with France against the English.

Newt Scamander [Newton]:

Etym: From Old English neowe "new" + tun "enclosure, settlement".

Nicholas Flamel: Etym: See below.

Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington:

Etym: St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra circa 300, is the patron saint of sailors, pawnbrokers, wolves, and scholars, especially schoolboys.

Nimbus Two Thousand: The most advanced broom yet created by modern magical technology.

Norbert: A Norwegian Ridgeback hatched by Hagrid, raised in secret to the age of a month or two, then spirited away to Romania to finish growing up in the wild and probably enter a lifetime of psychotherapy.

Etym: St. Norbert of Xanten (1080-1134), was the founder of the Premonstratensians (or Norbertines, or White Canons), a monk-like order.

Norris, Mrs.: Filch's cat and assistant in spotting trespassers.

Etym: Named for a sneaky, spiteful character in the Jane Austen novel Mansfield Park.

Norwegian Ridgeback: A species of dragon, sporting mildly poisonous fangs in addition to the usual features. Its eggs are large and black.

Notable Magical Names of Our Time: A book in the Hogwarts libary.

Nott (PS ch. 7): A student in the same year as Harry. House unknown.

Etym: From a Middle English nickname meaning "bald".

O

oak: Any of the trees or shrubs in the genus Quercus, notably some hardy, long-lived timber trees whose lumber is used in structural members, furniture, millwork, and cooperage.

Oliver Wood: Etym: With a small o, an olive tree. The name is more likely from the Old German Alfihar, "elf-host".

Ollivander, Mr.: Proprietor of a wand shop in Diagon Alley. According to its sign, his family have been "Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC".

Etym: OED thinks this is an error for olivaster, meaning "olive-colored" or "having an olive complexion".

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi: A first-year textbook for Herbology.

Order of Merlin: An award given by the Ministry of Magic; the highest honor available to a British wizard.

There is a real-life Order of Merlin, but it's nothing like the fictional one. It's given by the International Brotherhood of Magicians for 25 years of membership.

owls: Popular as familiars, owls are also the basis of the wizard postal system, able to find anyone, anywhere, to deliver their mail.

Owlery: The place where the Hogwarts-owned owls, and sometimes student ones, roost when not delivering mail.

P

Padma Patil: Etym: In Sanskrit, means the lotus, the symbol of enlightenment, and has various related meanings. In present-day usage, also the main channel of the Ganges River.

Pansy Parkinson: Etym: Viola tricolor aka heartsease. Signifies "thoughts", and the common name is derived from the French for "thought".

Paracelsus (PS ch. 6): The pseudonym of Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim (1493-1541), physician and alchemist, who established the role of chemistry in medicine, and was one of the first advocates of an empirical approach that became modern scientific method.

Parkinson, Pansy (PS ch. 7): A Slytherin in the same year as Harry.

Etym: From a diminutive of Peter.

Parvati Patil: Etym: EB: "The benevolent aspect of Shakti." Depending on which thread of Hinduism you follow, Shakti is either (a) the wife of Shiva, (b) a wife of Shiva, (c) the feminine, creative aspect of Shiva, (d) a personification of positive energy in general, or (e) all of the above but it doesn't matter since all definable things are illusion anyway.

Patil, Padma: A student of unknown house, in the same year as Harry.

Etym: See below.

Patil, Parvati: A Gryffindor, same year as Harry.

Etym: From the Pictish peit "portion (of land)" and Gaelic tulach "hill". Alternatively, also a surname of Indian origin.

Peeves the Poltergeist: An obnoxious ghost inhabiting Hogwarts, teasing the students and irritating the staff and other ghosts. Controllable only by the teachers and the Bloody Baron.

Etym: Invented, as far as I can tell, from peeve.

Percy Weasley: Etym: A family name that dates back to William de Perci, a comrade of William the Conqueror.

Perenelle Flamel: Etym: I seem to recall this is a name for some kind of flower, but can't find any info. Anyone?

Perks, Sally-Anne (PS ch. 7): A student of unknown house, in the same year as Harry.

Etym: Variation of park, which in the Middle Ages meant a large enclosed area used for game hunting.

Petrificatus Totalus: The incantation for the Body-Bind.

Etym: Latin-ish back-formation from petrify and total.

Petunia Dursley: Etym: From petun, "tobacco"; the flower is in the tobacco family.

Philosopher's Stone: A substance representing the ideal combination of the essences of all elements, sought by alchemists down the ages, thought to make it possible to do all sorts of magical things. In these books, an actual stone which can be used to make the Elixir of Life.

phoenix: A mythical bird which lives 500 years and then dies, only to be reborn in a magical fire. Phoenix feathers are used as wand cores.

Phyllida Spore: Etym: Probably from Greek phyllos, meaning "leaf".

Piers Polkiss: Etym: A French variation of Peter.

Pince: The librarian at Hogwarts.

Etym: Variation of Pinch, a nickname for a chirpy person. Really.

Platform 9 3/4: The platform for the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross Station.

Polkiss, Piers (PS ch. 2): Dudley Dursley's best friend and chief accomplice in tormenting Harry.

Etym: No etymology.

Pomfrey, Poppy: The nurse at Hogwarts, for whom treating broken arms, catatonia, poison, and the like is a typical day's work.

Etym: Welsh name from the given name Humphrey, from the Germanic huun "bear cub" + frid "peace". (Alternately, OEW translates it as "peace through force".) St. Humphrey was a 9th century bishop of Therouanne.

Poppy Pomfrey: Etym: Various flowers of the genus Papaver. Signifies consolation or oblivion. Also, in the UK, worn to commemorate veterans of the World Wars.

Potions: A standard class at Hogwarts; taught by Professor Snape.

Potter, Harry: An orphaned wizard, unique among even his magically talented classmates in that dark forces really are constantly attacking him and causing him to miss class. Wand: 11", supple, holly and phoenix feather.

Etym: Stated by Rowling to be a name she just liked.

Potter, James: Harry's father, killed by Voldemort. In school, he was a Gryffindor and became Head Boy. Wand: 11", pliable, mahogany.

Potter, Lily: Harry's mother, killed protecting Harry from Voldemort. She came from a Muggle family, was a Gryffindor and became Head Girl when she was at Hogwarts. Wand: 10 1/4", swishy, willow.

prefect: A fifth-year or later student appointed by the teachers to take some responsibility for other students. There appears to be at least one prefect for each of the Hogwarts houses.

Prewetts (PS ch. 5): Wizards killed by Voldemort.

Etym: Diminutive form of a name from Middle English prou(s) "brave", "valiant".

Privet Drive: The street in Little Whinging where the Dursleys live. Privet is commonly used in hedges-- very much a feature of dull, conformist suburbia.

Pucey, Adrian (PS ch. 11): A Chaser for the Slytherin Quidditch team.

Etym: From a town in Berkshire.

Pumpkin Pasties: A wizard candy, probably some kind of pastry with pumpkin filling.

Put-Outer: A magical device that can supress lights.

Q

Quaffle: A large ball used for scoring in Quidditch.

Quentin Trimble: Etym: From Latin for "fifth"; also the name for a type of French linen around the end of the 17th century.

Quidditch: The most popular sport in the wizarding world, combining, on the one hand, the fast-moving team action of soccer or basketball with, on the other hand, the injury rate of rugby and the vehicular technology arms race of Formula One.

Briefly, a game takes place on brooms between two teams, each consisting of three Chasers, two Beaters, a Keeper, and a Seeker, using three types of ball: a Quaffle, two Bludgers, and the Golden Snitch. For a full treatment of the subject, see Quidditch Through the Ages or Quidditch.com.

Quidditch Through the Ages: The definitive work on the history of Quidditch, available in a Muggle edition.

Quirrell: The last name of the teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts in Harry's first year; revealed as a servant of Voldemort and killed in a confrontation with Harry.

Etym: Nickname for a troublemaker, from Middle English/Old French querel, meaning "complaint, accusation".

R

Railview Hotel: A place where the Dursleys attempted to hide themselves and Harry from the Hogwarts owls.

Ravenclaw House: One of the four houses of Hogwarts, extolling the virtues of wisdom and friendship. Its symbol is an eagle, and its colors are blue and silver. Attempting to combine this with the versions of its badge appearing in the movie and on merchandise gives Azure, an eagle displayed, wings inverted, argent, which really doesn't resemble either of those versions. The house ghost is the Grey Lady.

Etym: Invented. The raven is a symbol of wisdom in Norse mythology.

Remembrall: An item resembling a clear marble, which flashes red when the owner has forgotten something. It is unable to indicate what has been forgotten, though.

Reparo: An incantation to fix minor damage.

Etym: Latin, "I repair". Imperative: repare "be repaired".

Restricted Section: A part of the Hogwarts library open only to faculty, advanced students of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and other students who can get a teacher's permission. Naturally, this is where all the really interesting and useful books are kept.

Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, The: A book in the Hogwarts library.

rock cakes: A type of fruitcake, meant to be hard only on top but frequently ending up hard all the way through.

Ron Weasley [Ronald]:

Etym: From a compound of the Old English words regen and weald, both of which mean "power, force, might".

Ronan: One of the centaurs living in the Forbidden Forest.

Etym: Gaelic for "seal".

Rubeus Hagrid: Etym: From the Latin for "reddish".

S

Sally-Anne Perks: Etym: Sally is an alternate form of Sarah, Hebrew for "princess"; Anne is another form of Hannah.

Scabbers (PS ch. 6): Ron's rat, inherited from his brother Percy.

Scamander, Newt (PS ch. 5): Author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Etym: The name of a river mentioned by Homer, used in the late 19th century to mean "to wander about" or "to take a devious course".

Seamus Finnigan: Etym: The Irish form of James.

Seeker: The player on a Quidditch team who chases the Golden Snitch. Catching the Snitch scores 150 points and ends the match.

Severus Snape: Etym: The name of several Roman emperors, most notably Septimius Severus, who shifted the imperial power base from the nobility to the army. The word is Latin for "harsh, severe, strictly correct". Also, cognate to the later name Severian.

One Latin dictionary-- but just one out of 5 or 6 I've consulted by now-- suggests that the word may be from se verus, "one who separates the truth (from falsehood)".

Sickle: 1/17th of a Galleon, or 29 Knuts.

Etym: "Silver sickle" is a popular poetic term for the crescent moon.

Sirius Black: Etym: Canis Major, the Dog Star.

Slytherin House: One of the four houses of Hogwarts. Its defining virtues are unclear: Hagrid believes it selects for evil; Draco Malfoy thinks it's where the "right people" go; the Sorting Hat just selects for sneaky cleverness. The head of the house is Professor Snape. Badge: Vert, a snake erect argent. The house ghost is the Bloody Baron.

Etym: Invented; undoubtedly meant to sound like "slithering".

Smeltings: The school that Vernon Dursley attended and which Dudley now goes to.

Etym: Probably invented from smelting.

Snape, Severus: The Potions teacher at Hogwarts, and head of Slytherin House. Has a reputation for being mean and a particular dislike of Harry, but hey, if your childhood antagonist had grown up to be a famous martyr, and then his kid was the most famous wizard in existence at the age of eleven, you'd be a bit crabby too.

Etym: Stated by Rowling on numerous occasions to be from a village name. The name comes from Old Norse snap or Old English snoep, meaning "poor grazing" or "winter pasture", and is still used in Sussex as a term for ground that is too boggy to cultivate. Not too far from the meaning of Nettleship.

Snowy (PS ch. 2): One of Mrs. Figg's cats.

Sorceror's Stone: Name for the Philosopher's Stone in US editions. The US editor felt the word "philosopher" would scare people away from buying the book.

Sorting Ceremony: How new students at Hogwarts are assigned to a house. They put on the Sorting Hat, which decides where to send them.

Sorting Hat: A sentient magical artifact which looks into the minds of new students to decide which house they should be in.

Spinnet, Alicia (PS ch. 11): A Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Etym: May be derived from a name used to mean a thorn bush or the crest of a hill. Also, a spinet is an instrument resembling a harpsichord.

Spore, Phyllida (PS ch. 5): Author of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.

Etym: Meant to mean what it looks like.

Sprout: The witch who teaches Herbology at Hogwarts.

Etym: Derived from an Old English name possibly also meaning "sprout".

squid, giant: A denizen of the lake adjoining Hogwarts, something along these lines.

Standard Book of Spells, The: Name of a series of basic spell textbooks used at Hogwarts.

Stonewall: The name of the local comprehensive school (what in the US would be a public combined high school and junior high) Harry was going to be sent to before he knew about Hogwarts.

Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry, A: A book in the Hogwarts library.

Supreme Mugwump: One of Dumbledore's titles.

Surrey: The area in which Little Whinging is located. Surrey is fairly thick with businessmen who commute to London.

Susan Bones: Etym: From the the Hebrew Shushannah, "lily", the name of the heroine of the Book of Susannah, an apocryphal addition to the Book of Daniel.

Switch, Emeric (PS ch. 5): Author of A Beginner's Guide to Transformation.

Etym: What it looks like.

Switching Spells: Spells used in Transfiguration.

T

Ted [Theodore] (PS ch. 1): Name of a newsreader the Dursleys watch.

Etym: Greek, "god's gift".

Terence Higgs: Etym: From Latin Terentius, the name of a Roman gens of unknown etymology.

Terry Boot [Terence]:

Etym: See above.

Thomas, Dean (PS ch. 7): A Gryffindor, the same year as Harry. From a Muggle family, he is a big fan of the West Ham soccer team.

Etym: From Aramaic meaning "twin". We can also consider Thomas the Rhymer, a 13th century Scottish poet and prophet who in popular lore is connected with Merlin.

Tibbles (PS ch. 2): One of Mrs. Figg's cats.

trading cards: See Famous Witches and Wizards.

Transfiguration: One of the basic subjects at Hogwarts, it concerns the changing of things from one form to another. The Transfiguration teacher is Professor McGonagall.

Trevor (PS ch. 6): Neville Longbottom's toad.

Etym: From Welsh tre(f) "homestead, settlement" + mawr "large", or Gaelic Ó Treabhair, from a byname meaning "industrious, prudent".

trifle: A confection made of layers of sherry-soaked sponge cake, jelly, and custard, usually topped with whipped cream and fruit.

Trimble, Quentin (PS ch. 5): Author of The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection.

Etym: From an Old English personal name, formed from trum "strong, firm" + beald "bold, brave". On the other hand, also an obsolete form of tremble.

trolls: Large, stupid humanoid creatures that like to fight with clubs.

Tufty (PS ch. 2): One of Mrs. Figg's cats.

Turpin, Lisa (PS ch. 7): A Ravenclaw, same year as Harry.

Etym: A number of possibilities here, but my favorite is Dick Turpin (1706-1739), an English highwayman, the subject of Rookwood.

U

unicorns: Horselike creatures with a single horn, symbolizing absolute purity. (In medieval art, the unicorn was actually a single-horned goat.) Unicorn hairs are used as the cores of some wands.

Uric the Oddball: Some historical personage who could be confused with Emeric the Evil.

Etym: None found.

V

vampires: Essentially, semi-human creatures who drink blood; the details of the legend have gone through many variations over the centuries.

Vernon Dursley: Etym: Alternative for vernal in 1658, or a surname derived from a common placename in France.

Vindictus Viridian: Etym: From the same root as vindictive and meaning pretty much the same thing.

Viridian, Vindictus (PS ch. 5): Author of Curses and Countercurses.

Etym: Strong green; technically, Veronese green. In this case, the green of jealousy or envy.

Voldemort: The Dark Lord; He Who Must Not Be Named. His rule was cut short by a curse that rebounded on him when he tried to kill the infant Harry and left him a shapeless wraith. Wand: 13 1/2", yew and phoenix feather.

Etym: Probably derived from French vol-de-mort, "flight of death". Beastly equation for "L*rd V*ld*m*rt": a=30, b=33, etc.

W

Waffling, Adalbert: Author of Magical Theory.

Etym: No etymology.

wands: An essential tool for a wizard, used in nearly all magic (a notable exception being potions). Wands have four distinguishing characteristics: length, flexibility, the material used in the core, and the wood used for the exterior.

Wand cores are taken from magical animals: phoenix feathers, unicorn hairs,and dragon heartstrings have been mentioned so far. The core determines the "identity" of the wand. The significance of the wood used and the flexibility of the wand are not clear, but it appears to affect the type of magic it is best suited for. This lexicographer hesitates to offer a hypothesis on the significance of wand length.

Warlocks' Convention: Some kind of rule-making body or event. One in 1709 outlawed dragon breeding.

Weasley, Arthur [Wesseley]: The head of the Weasley clan; Ron's father.

Etym: Variation of the Russian patronymic Veselov, from a nickname meaning "cheerful".

Weasley, Bill: The oldest of the Weasley children. He became Head Boy during his time at Hogwarts. He now does "something for Gringotts".

Etym: See above.

Weasley, Charlie: Second-oldest of the Weasley children, he became captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team when he was a student. Now, he is studying dragons in Romania.

Etym: See above.

Weasley, Fred and George: Twins, who are the Beaters on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and inveterate pranksters.

Etym: See above.

Weasley, Ginny: Ron's sister, the youngest of the Weasleys, who will start at Hogwarts the year after Harry.

Etym: See above.

Weasley, Molly: Ron's long-suffering mother.

Etym: See above.

Weasley, Percy: One of Ron's older brothers, he became a prefect in Harry's first year. Noted for being fussy, rule-oriented, and in many other ways being the Arnold Rimmer of his class.

Etym: See above.

Weasley, Ron: Harry's best friend, a Gryffindor in the same year; the perfect sidekick in that he has no existence worth noting outside Harry's presence.

Etym: See above.

werewolf: So far the werewolves here appear to be the standard Western model, infected by another werewolf and turning into an unthinking man-eater when a full moon is above the horizon.

Werewolf Code of Conduct: Enacted in 1637, the specifics have not been given.

willow: Any shrub or tree of the genus Salix, grown variously for ornament, shade, or timber. Willow bark is the source for salicin, the parent of a whole set of pain relievers.

Wingardium Leviosa: The incantation for a levitation charm.

Etym: From wing or something similar, and Latin levis, "light".

wolfsbane: see monkshood.

Wood, Oliver: A Gryffindor, 4 years ahead of Harry, who is the Keeper and captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Etym: What it sounds like.

wormwood: Artemisia Absinthium, used as a tonic and vermifuge. One of the ingredients of the Draught of Living Death.

X

X: The 24th letter of the modern alphabet and the 21st of the Roman, corresponding in form and position to the Greek xi. The early Greek forms represented the aspirate voiceless velar kh in the Ionian alphabet and ks in the Chaldean. The ancient Roman name of the letter was ix, and the Romans used it for the ks sound. Its earliest use in English was as a medial and final alternate spelling of cs.

In modern usage, x is a marker, a metasyntactic variable, and a symbol for the unknown. It is not, however, the beginning of any names or terms relevant to any of the Harry Potter books.

Y

yew: Trees and shrubs of the genus Taxus. The timber trees produce a wood that is hard, finegrained, and heavy, and was once popular for cabinetry, tools, and bows. In British folklore, it's associated with death.

Yorkshire: A region of northern England.

Yorkshire pudding: A floury batter cooked until crisp on top, usually served with roast meats.

Yvonne (PS ch. 2): Petunia Dursley's friend.

Etym: French name, possibly from Old German Iv "yew".

Z

Zabini, Blaise (PS ch. 7): A Slytherin in the same year as Harry.

Etym: Derives from the name of the Sabine tribe. Probably no special meaning here.