A question about wizards... and Warlocks

[Steve]

---  "Wendy" <wendydarling6402 at ...> wrote:
>
> My 10 year old had a question for me that I can not 
> answer. What is the difference between a wizard and a
> warlock? I always kind of thought that those two names
> were interchangable, but in the series it seems to be 
> a special title. So my question is is it just a title 
> in the series or is it a descriptor of more powers or
>  what? My daughter will thank
> you.
> 
> Wendy
>

bboyminn:

Well, in the HP-JKR world, we really don't know. There 
are instances in which Harry walks into a room an 
makes note in the narrative that there are "Warlock"
specifically present in the room. So what ever the 
difference is, Harry seems to know it when he sees it.
But the books have never given a distinction as to what
might make them specifically 'warlocks'.

Though there is a trend which implies that 'warlocks'
are a 'rowdy' bunch. 

As others have pointed out, in general, the word stems
from 'oath breaker', though is used to refer to a male
witch. However, I'm not sure how that applies to the
HP series. Can Harry possibly make a distinction 
between a male witch and a male wizard?

Others have speculated that it is a political title.
Dumbledore is head warlock of the Wizengamot.

I have speculated that it is a regional variation in 
the reference to a wizard. Wizard being Western 
European and warlock being Eastern European. So, Harry
would assume that loud rowdy people speaking in Eastern
European accents are warlocks. Note, this would make
Viktor Krum a warlock. 

This is a subject we have discussed at great length in 
the main group, and the only conclusion we can come to
with certainty is 'we don't know'. What is listed
above is some of the more common speculations.

This is one of the questions I would like to ask JKR
if I ever got a chance to speak with her.

Steve/bboyminn