Avada Kedavra Meaning

[Paula Gaon]

No: HPFGUIDX 84780

12Nov03 
 
Hermowninny wrote:
I know there's someone in the groups that can enlighten me as to the 
meaning of Avada Kedavra. Also, I'd really like to know where on the 
net I can look up latin meanings.

Paula now:
This term has also intrigued me from the very beginning.  My personal theory is that the origin is from Hebrew.  However, since the expression is written in Latin letters, it's difficult for me to tell exactly which root is being used in the word "avada".  In the Hebrew alphabet, the first "a" could be one of two different letters, which would make a difference in the meaning.  If we go with the first option, the root would be from the verb, "to lose".  But, this verb can also have the meaning "to destroy".  There's the additional problem with the fact that the conjugation or form is wrong here.  Now if I had a little more initiative, I'd look up the Biblical usage because in the Bible, the conjugations do not always appear as they are used in Modern.  The second option would be the root for the verbs "to work", "to adapt, process, arrange".  OK, so on to the second word, a bit more simple, but not much.  In Hebrew, it's actually two words.  "Ke" is "as" or "like" (In Hebrew this
 word is considered a prefix and attached to the word.)  In the Bible, the word "dever" (divra) is the word used for the plague or pestilence that was brought on the Egyptians when they didn't let the Israelites leave. However, this same root, "DVR" can also be translated as "words, things, matters". (A basic problem here is that in Hebrew there are no vowels and they really aren't needed, but that's another story...However, when Hebrew words are written in Latin letters, it can be misleading.)  So, if my math is right, we have four possible translations of the phrase, "Avada Kedvara", and in the context of the HP series, I'd go with something like "Gotten Rid of like a Plague".  Hope this hasn't been too confusing.
 
~Paula "Griff" Gaon



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