Perkins & the meaning of Warlock...

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 89262

Nemi wrote:
> I was thinking it over, and while Warlock, in the dictionary, means 
> "Oathbreaker" and "Traitor" I did take note of the points you made
and had a though.
> 
> What if the wizarding meaning "warlock" is in the more morden means
from the 
> might and magic games and the like.  Someone who battles with magic,
a magical 
> warrior, or whatnot, but isn't an Auror, and made something of a
carreer out 
> of it.
> 
> It fits the rough and rowdy imagry AND Dumbledore's distinction of
being a 
> "Chief Warlock"
> 
> Thoughts?


Carol:
It seems to me, based on the "venerable-looking wizards . . . and
wild-looking warlocks" quote that a warlock is not an old wizard, as
someone (Steve?) suggested; they appear to be distinct entities (not
sure what that implies about Ernie MacMillan's ancestry!). After
reading your post, I decided to check my own dictionary(ies). The
Random House College Dictionary defines "warlock" as 1) "a man aided
by the devil in practicing magic arts; sorcerer" and 2) "a fortune
teller or conjurer." It derives from Old English words meaning oath
breaker or devil (= covenant betrayer). Webster's Tenth Collegiate has
a similar but more elaborate etymology tied in with lying. That
definition is 1) "a man practicing the black arts: SORCEROR--compare
WITCH" and 2) "conjurer."

Clearly these aren't the definitions JKR is working with (for one
thing, she wouldn't use American dictionaries, but they're all I have
at hand. :-) Also, of course, her warlocks are not necessarily
practitioners of the Dark Arts). These definitions sound more like
Sauron before the drowning of Numenor than anyone in the Potterverse,
even Voldemort or Grindelwald. IIRC she does use the word "sorceror"
at least once in connection with Voldemort, so maybe "sorceror" =
powerful dark wizard, but clearly "warlock" is something altogether
different.

Another interesting point: The Lexicon mentions Elfrida Clagg
(1612-1687) as Chieftainess of the Warlocks Council, which seems to
imply that a warlock isn't necessarily male (or at least that women
can be members of these apparently influential councils and
federations). That doesn't clear up the definition much, unfortunately.

Anyway, thanks for the idea, Nemi, but back to square one for me!

Carol