Etymology of Homorphus Charm (Was: The Things You Can Find)

[Goddlefrood]

No: HPFGUIDX 166990

> Carol in:
 
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/165957
 
> > > Exactly. And the name of the charm supports this 
interpretation: Homorphus = homo (Latin for man or human being) 
plus morphus (pseudo-Latin from the Greek morphe, change or 
transform)

> Goddlefrood: 
> > 
> <snip>  Catlady's post I took as an invitation to dig for 
clues :)
> > 
> > Her referral earlier today (for me) led me to take a closer
> > look at the etymology of Homorphus in a little depth. I 
> > enjoyed it, and here I now present my evidence:
> > 
> > (i) Based on Carol
> > 
> > Suspect Homo + Morphus (mixed Latin and Greek etymology)
> > 
> > Morphe, meaning apoproximately in English change or transform.
> > It is the root of Morpheus, noun: Morpheus - morfeeus, the
> > Greek god of dreams. Some information on him here:
> ><snip> - This snip by Carol includes the bit that clearly
indicates the next definition was my suspect number one, if
you're not already confused ;)
> > 
> > Definitions homomorphous adj:
> > 
> > Similar in form, especially if different otherwise.
> <snip>
> 
> Carol responds:
> Mea culpa. 

Goddlefrood:

Indeed, mens rea etc, established ;)

> Carol:

> I'll try again.

Goddlefrood:

Do go on, you interest me strangely :)

> Carol:

(SNIP) Latin / Greek bits (in many ways ;))

> At any rate, we see what the Homorphus Charm (if it's the 
same spell, and, admittedly, we can't be sure) does to Peter 
Pettigrew. It forces him to return to his human form. 

Goddlefrood:

If the Homorphus charm were as easy as you make out, can it 
honestly be believed that Lupin, or any other werewolf would 
remain one?

The spell cast in the Shrieking Shack to reveal Peter was, in 
my very humble opinion, unrelated in any way to the Homorphus 
charm. It is a not unreasonable conclusion to make that the
*only* person aware of this charm was the poor wizard whose
memory of it had been obliviated by Gilderoy Lockhart. He or
she should be found immediately! Cure the werewolves if 
possible, take them out of play!

(iv) In my previous is commended as preferred etymology, but 
thank you, Carol, for acknowledging the value of research :). 
Perhaps Catlady on her next visit could decide which 
interpretation she likes best ;)

Goddlefrood, whose date for this post is 1473, the year of the 
first Quidditch World Cup (odd how so many have been held in 
the intervening period unless they were once more regular than 
they now are in canon:)), it is also the same year in which, 
amongst other things, Jean Lemaire de Belges, a famous Belgian,
or Wallonian if preferred, was born :). Nice name, great poet.