Abraxam horses to Azkaban...
Abraxam horses - Hagrid claims a friend breeds them when under interrogation by Umbridge
An abraxas is a word, often engraved on a gem, used as a charm.
Accio - summoning charm
"Accio" is Latin for "to call to, summon."
Acid Pops - candy that burns a hole through your tongue.
Some strong acids at high enough concentrations could certainly burn a hole through a tongue. What a nasty prank!
Aconite - plant used in Potions, also called "wolfsbane" or "monkshood."
Aconite, indeed also known as monkshood and wolfsbane, is a type of perennial herb formerly used in medicine. Aconites contain highly active alkaloids, making them poisonous to both humans and animals. When eaten in small to moderate amounts, roots produce symptoms of restlessness, salivation, nausea, a weakened and irregular heartbeat, chest pain, prostration, and frequently death within hours. In myth, it was used by Athena to turn Arachne into a spider.
Acromantula - gigantic spider
Probably a combination of akros (Greek, "extreme") and "tarantula."
Adalbert Waffling - See Waffling, Adalbert.
Agrippa - featured on one of the wizard cards Ron doesn't have.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim combined magic, astrology, Qabbalah, theurgy, medecine, and the occult properties of plants, rocks, and metals. This work was an important factor in the spread of the idea of occult sciences. (Thanks to Rita Winston)
Alastor Moody - See "Moody, Alastor"
Alberic Grunion - See "Grunion, Alberic"
Albus Dumbledore - See "Dumbledore, Albus"
Alchemy - Nicholas Flamel's forte.
Alchemy is the medieval chemical philosophy concerned primarily with the transmutation of base metals (especially lead) into gold.
Alohomora - charm used to unlock doors
According to
Steve Vander Ark, this could be a combination of "Aloha" (Hawaiian, "Goodbye") and "mora" (Latin, "obstacle").
Anglia - see "Ford Anglia"
Animagus - A wizard capable of transforming into another animal. Plural Animagi
The word "Animagus" is a combination of "animal" and "mage" (sorceror).
Aparecium - spell used to make invisible ink visible
"Appareo" is Latin for "to become visible."
Apollyon Pringle - See "Pringle, Appolyon"
Apparate - magical ability to disappear and reappear at any location
"Appareo" is Latin for "to become visible."
Aragog - giant spider cared for by Hagrid.
"Ara" comes from "arachnid," which is the class spiders belong to. "Gog" was a legendary giant. Together, "giant arachnid." (Thanks to Kate C.)
Arithmancy - one of Hermione's favorite subjects
Arithmancy - an early form of numerology dealing with the study of numbers, where divination is made through numbers, especially those numbers associated with the letters of a person's name. (Thanks to The Encyclopedia Potterica! -- link outdated)
Argus Filch - See "Filch, Argus"
Arsenius Jigger - See "Jigger, Arsenius"
Arthur Weasley - See "Weasley, Arthur"
Ashwinder - a snake born from an untended magical fire
Quite simply, a combination of "ash" (the residue of fire) and "winder" (as in "sidewinder," a snake that moves sideways).
Augurey - a rather pathetic-looking bird whose cry was thought to fortell death.
An "augury" is a sign of something coming; an omen.
Auror - dark wizard catcher
I've been puzzling over this one for ages! Finally, it seems Petréa Mitchell of
The Akashic Record has found the logic behind this name. "Auror" derives from the Latin "aurum," which means "gold." Meanwhile, Brits call policemen "coppers." A higher class of policeman would be a "golder" or as JKR suggests, "auror." Thanks, Petréa! Now I'll be able to stop lying awake at night pondering this word's significance.
Avada Kedavra - unblockable killing curse
"Avada kedavra" is an Aramaic phrase that means "may the thing be destroyed."
Avis - Spell used by Mr. Ollivander to make birds fly out of Krum's wand.
"Avis" is Latin for "bird."
Azkaban - Dementor-guarded wizard prison
Similar to "Alkatraz," an infamous Muggle prison.
