Avada Kedavra Meaning

[nkafkafi]

No: HPFGUIDX 84894

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.
<snip>
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
<snip>
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.

Now Neri:

Paula, I believe "avada kedavra" is in fact in aramaic, which is 
indeed very similar to hebrew. In ancient times aramaic became sort 
of an international language of learned people (a bit like latin 
later) so it is no wonder it was ascribed to wizards. The traditional 
magic words "Abra kadabra" are actually aramaic-like gibberish 
(as "hocus pocus" is latin-like gibberish). Regarding the meaning of 
avada kedavra, I think you are right about the first word, but for 
the second word I'd go with "davra" (aramaic) or davar (hebrew) 
meaning "saying" or in the more archaic meaning "command". In the 
bible especially the combination "kedvar" (aramaic: "kedavra") is 
very common in the meaning of "as [someone's] command". For example, 
whenever some king is properly religious it is written that he 
did "kedvar adonai" (= as god commanded). According to this 
interpretation, "avada kedavra" means "die at [my] command".

Neri, who apologizes that his english is not as good as his hebrew