Spell Definitions--help! DADA spells?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 71220

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ebeth0000000000"
<EBeth0000 at h...> wrote:
> Can anyone accurately define the following for me:
> 1) Hex
> 2) Curse
> 3) Charm
> 4) Spell
> 
> This type of thing didn't used to bother me, but now I'm getting 
> really confused.  
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> Thanks,
> EBeth

bboy_mn:

I hope I can stretch this into a worth while post although I really
don't have that much to say.

First, you forgot a one; you forgot JINX.

For what it's worth lets start with formal definitions just so we have
a reference point, then work our way up to applied definitions.

Jinx - To bring bad luck to

Hex - An evil spell; a curse

Curse - 1.a. An appeal or prayer for evil or misfortune to befall
someone or something. 2. To invoke evil or misfortune upon; damn. 3.
To bring evil upon; afflict:

Charm - (a charm, amulet, fetish, juju, talisman) 1. An item worn for
its supposed magical benefit, as in warding off evil; an amulet. 2. To
function as an amulet or charm. (to charm) 1. An action or formula
thought to have magical power. 2. The chanting of a magic word or
verse; incantation 3. To cast or seem to cast a spell on; bewitch. 4.
To use magic spells

Spell - 1.a. A word or formula believed to have magic power. 1.b. A
bewitched state; a trance. 2. To put (someone) under a spell; bewitch. 


A SPELL is a broad general purpose reference that refers to all 'cast'
magic; that is, refers to most magic other than potions. All
non-potions magic is some form of a spell.

CHARMS are in two catagories; charm spells and charmed object. Charms
as cast magic are made up of spells that are applied to objects;
summoning and banishing charms, for example. Although, it is possible
for the 'object' to be a person. Charm spells can also be applied to
objects to give them protective properties, thereby creating the
second class of charms; charmed object. Charmed objects are carried by
people as a form of protection to ward off evil and dark magic.

A CURSE is a form of attack magic; a spell that assaults a person. For
example, the curse of the Bat Bogeys, a Ginny Weasley specialty. If an
otherwise benevolent spell is used to assault a person that applied
intent is what defines it as a curse. Curses can be cast with a wand,
or merely uttered as in the form of a jinx.

A HEX I think is another word for a curse; to hex someone is to curse
them. Hex and curse are always negative. There are no healing or happy
hexes or curses. The Tickle Charm (Rictusempra, used against Malfoy
while he and Harry dueled) becomes a hex or a curse when it is used to
assault a person.  This is an excellent example of how spells, charms,
hexes, and curses all overlap in meaning.

A JINX is a way of forcing bad luck onto a person. The bad luck may be
general bad luck, or it may take on a specific intended form. Quirrel
tries to jinx Harry's broom, that jinx forces Harry's broom to try and
buck him off. Being bucked off your broom would certainly be bad luck.
Draco also used a 'trip jinx' that causes Harry to trip and fall when
he is running from the DA room trying to escape Umbridge. It doesn't
put a magical object (like a rope or a rock) or magic force in Harry's
path that causes him to trip. Draco simple curses Harry with a bit of
specific bad luck that causes him to trip. 

A jinx like a curse or a hex is never positive, it is always an
assault of some kind.


Maybe we should add BEWITCH to the list.

Bewitch -  1. To place under one's power by or as if by magic; cast a
spell over.

So, 'to bewitch' means to apply magic to, although, there is a subtle
implication that to bewitch something or someone, means that the magic
will linger. When you charm an object with protective properties, the
properties linger or remain in the object making it a bewitched
object. Bewitching a person to some extent also implies that the
person has come under you power, so the Imperius Curse, because the
ability to control the person lingers after the spell is cast, is a
form of bewitchment.

Also -

Enchant - 1. To cast a spell over; bewitch.

Entrance -  1. To put into a trance. 2. To fill with delight, wonder,
or enchantment: a child who was entranced by a fairy tale. See
Synonyms at  charm.

Ensorcel - To enchant; bewitch.

incantation - 1. Ritual recitation of verbal charms or spells to
produce a magic effect. 2.a. A formula used in ritual recitation; a
verbal charm or spell.

Any more?

Just a thought.

bboy_mn