the Latin in the spells (was Re: [HPforGrownups] Re: Hogwart's Motto, help!)

[Alexandra Y. Kwan]

No: HPFGUIDX 21309

Hello,

> However, neither "imperio" nor "crucio" is an imperative in Latin.
> "Crucio", which is an actual Latin verb (crucio, cruciare, cruciavi,
> cruciatus), is in the first person singular present indicative
> active = "I crucify".  As a present active imperative, it would be
> "cruci" in the singular, and "crucite" in the plural.

True and true, but I think "crucio" makes more sense than "cruci" as a
spell, 'cause "crucio" probably has the implication of "I crucify [you]" but
"cruci" is telling the object to go crucify someone.  The latter doesn't
sound like it can hurt the object of the spell...  I'll leave the "imperio"
for someone else.

little Alex


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