Incantations vs. spells

[caesian]

No: HPFGUIDX 97436

Carol wrote:
> > I've recently noticed several people using the term "incantation" as
> > synonymous with "spell." My perception is that an incantation is not a
> > one- or two-word command like "lumos!" or "wingardium leviosa!" but a
> > chant that's spoken or sung as a kind of ritual, often but not always
> > as part of the making of a complex potion. <snip>
> > And are there any other examples of actual incantations that I'm
> > overlooking? (Possibly Snape has to recite one when he makes the
> > wolfbane potion. We don't hear him doing it, but that doesn't mean an
> > incantation isn't involved. In my view, it would at least fit with the
> > complexity of that particular potion.)
> --------------------------
> Arya now:
> I disagree--the incantation is indeed the words spoken to cast the spell.  
> Avada Kedavra is the incantation for the Killing Curse.  The spells' names are 
> things like "Cruiciatius Curse", "Full-Body Bind", and "Silencing Charm".  The 
> incantations are then "Crucio", "Petrificus Totalus", and "Silencio".  You'll 
> notice in the books, the incantations are italicized to note the fact they're a 
> foreign word not standardized to the normal english speech.  They are 
> indeed incantations.  Snape even refers to them dismissively in PS when he 
> says, "...no foolish wand wand waving, no silly incantations..."   We also read, 
> in OotP Ch 31, "...Pavarti was practicing incantations under her breath while 
> the salt cellar in front of her twitched..."
<snip> 

Caesian adds:

Another example of a single word identified as an incantation is the Dark Mark:

"And then, without warning, the silence was rent by a voice unlike any they had heard in 
the wood; and it uttered, not a panicked shout, but what sounded like a spell.
'MORSMORDRE!'"

... then later ....

"'Where did the Mark come from you three?' said Mr. Weasley quickly.
'Over there,' said Hermione shakily, pointing at the place where the had heard the voice, 
'there was someone behind the trees ... they shouted words - an incantation -'
'Oh, stood over there, did they?' said Mr Crouch, turning his popping eyes on Hermione 
now, disbelief etched all over his face. 'Said an incantation, did they?  You seem very well 
informed about how that Mark is summoned, missy ; '

Caesian