[HPforGrownups] Draco Malfoy

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 42486

Jen writes:

> The possible character interpretations are kind of neat if one thinks of
> the vol part as being related to Latin volo, velle -- does Voldemort
> deep down crave death? is that why he couldn't kill baby Harry? --, but

Actually I'm thinking it (wish for death) could come into play when
Voldemort meets his end.  Either the way he dies will be so horrific he will
wish for death, or he will be robbed of magical powers, which to Voldemort
would be worse than death, therefore he would wish for death.

> I was rather wondering how you got 'wicked disgrace' as a meaning for
> 'Malfoy'.  What root are you thinking of for 'disgrace'?  I can't think
> of anything besides 'flagitium', and that's hardly likely to be a source
> for the 'foy'

It's the latin verb "foedo" that means disgrace,defile, or disfigure.  And
since the "oe" dipthong is pronounced "oy" as in boy it does have the same
sound as the -foy in Malfoy.

Richelle