The Order of the Phoenix

[Joy M]

No: HPFGUIDX 26808

We have had some discussion about the meaning of the title "Order of 
the Phoenix." As a service to the community, I thought I would 
speculate, with the help of the American Heritage dictionary, on all 
the possibilities.  The dictionary definitions are contained within 
the [square brackets], the sentences which follow are my examples of 
the possible meaning of the new title.

[order (ôr der) noun]
[1.  A condition of logical or comprehensible arrangement among the 
separate elements of a group.]

The Order of the Phoenix went from shortest to tallest.

[2.a. A condition of methodical or prescribed arrangement among 
component parts such that proper functioning or appearance is 
achieved: "Order, cleanliness, seemliness make a structure that is 
half support, half ritual" (Florida Scott-Maxwell). b. Condition or 
state in general: in good order.]

The Order of the Phoenix's bedroom was accomplished by hiring a maid.

[3.a. The established system of social organization: "Every 
revolution exaggerates the evils of the old order" (C. Wright Mills).]

The Order of the Phoenix ruled the Wizarding World  before the Goblin 
Rebellions.

[b. A condition in which freedom from disorder or disruption is 
maintained through respect for established authority: finally 
restored order in the rebellious provinces.]

The Order of the Phoenix really cut down on the crime rate.

[4. A sequence or an arrangement of successive things.]

The Order of the Phoenix was Fawkes, then his brother Squawkes, then 
his New York cousin Tawkes, then his plumber friend Cawkes, then the 
country bumpkin Gawkes, ......

[5. The prescribed form or customary procedure: the order of worship.]

Out of respect for the Order of the Phoenix, wizards do not usually 
disclose if they are animagi.

[6. An authoritative indication to be obeyed; a command or direction.]

Dumbledore issued an Order of the Phoenix, which suggested that all 
wizards opposing Voldemort brush up on their hexes and jinxes.

[7. a. A command given by a superior military officer requiring 
obedience, as in the execution of a task. b. orders. Formal written 
instructions to report for military duty at a specified time and 
place.]

Upon receiving the Order of the Phoenix, they surrounded the Death 
Eaters and readied their wands.

[8. a. A commission or an instruction to buy, sell, or supply 
something.]

Order the Phoenix now and get this potato peeler absolutely free!

[b. That which is supplied, bought, or sold.]

The Order of the Phoenix was delayed in customs for two weeks.

[9. a. A request made by a customer at a restaurant for a portion of 
food. b. The food requested.]

The Order of the Phoenix was corned beef on rye with extra mustard 
and a side of cole slaw.

[10. Law. A direction or command delivered by a court or other 
adjudicative body and entered into the record but not necessarily 
included in the final judgment or verdict.]

The Order of the Phoenix required the Ministry of Magic to stop 
locking up suspected criminals without a trial.

[11. Ecclesiastical. a. Any of several grades of the Christian 
ministry: the order of priesthood. b. Often orders. The rank of an 
ordained Christian minister or priest. c. Often orders. The sacrament 
or rite of ordination.]

The Fat Friar was appointed Supreme Spiritual Spirit of the Order of 
the Phoenix.

[12. Any of the nine grades or choirs of angels.]

...Yikes...I can't do anything with this one...

[13. A group of persons living under a religious rule: Order of Saint 
Benedict.]

The members of the Order of the Phoenix wake at 5 every morning to 
pray for Voldemort's defeat.

[14. An organization of people united by a common fraternal bond or 
social aim.]

The Order of the Phoenix is a group of wizards and witches dedicated 
to the overthrow of Voldemort and the Death Eaters.  (Hmmm.... 
Voldemort and the Death Eaters....great name for a rock band, as Dave 
Barry would say.)

[15. a. A group of people upon whom a government or sovereign has 
formally conferred honor for unusual service or merit, entitling them 
to wear a special insignia: the Order of the Garter. b. The insignia 
worn by such people.]

The members of the Order of the Phoenix wear really cool, red and 
gold badges.

[16.	Often orders. A social class: the lower orders.]

Those Order of the Phoenix-types live in the worst section of town.

[17.	A class defined by the common attributes of its members; a 
kind.]

The members of the Order of the Phoenix are identifiable by their 
messy black hair and brilliant green eyes.  Or (according to Amanda) 
the Order of the Phoenix is an association of people whose wand cores 
contain phoenix feathers

[18.	Degree of quality or importance; rank: poetry of a high 
order.]

Only Harry Potter, Dumbledore and Steve Vander Ark have magical 
knowledge of the Order of the Phoenix.

[19.	Architecture. a. Any of several styles of classical 
architecture characterized by the type of column employed: the 
Corinthian order. b. A style of building: a cathedral of the Gothic 
order.]

The building was early Order of the Phoenix, with carved birds above 
each entrance.

[20.	Biology. A taxonomic category of organisms ranking above a 
family and below a class.]

The Order of the Phoenix is  _Avis Magicalus Rarus_

[21.	Mathematics. a. The sum of the exponents to which the 
variables in a term are raised; degree. b. An indicated number of 
successive differentiations to be performed. c. The number of 
elements in a finite group. d. The number of rows or columns in a 
determinant or matrix.]

If you take all the magical ability I have and raise to the Order of 
the Phoenix it will still be zero.

--Joywitch, who should probably have her dictionary confiscated