Accio (Summoning Charm)
Description: This charm summons an object to the caster, potentially over a significant distance. It can be used in two ways: by casting the charm, and then naming the object desired ("Accio Firebolt"), or by pointing the wand at the desired object during or immediately following the incantation to "pull" it toward the user. In either case, the caster must concentrate upon the object they wish to summon in order for the charm to succeed. The caster doesn't necessarily need to know the location if they say the name of the object to be summoned. This is proven when Hermione Granger explains in 1997 that she summoned the Horcrux books from Dumbledore's office by merely saying "Accio Horcrux books!" while in Gryffindor Tower.
Seen/Mentioned: Harry Potter summoned his broom to complete the first task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994, as well as to summon the Portkey to escape Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters in the Little Hangleton Graveyard in 1995. It failed to summon Horcruxes in 1997, and Harry failed to summon a falling Rubeus Hagrid. It was also used as a quicker way to find objects in Hermione's depth-enlarged beaded handbag, and was used as a quick and effective way of fishing ("Accio salmon").
(Age-Line Spell)
Description: Creates a line that is impassable by people below a set age.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore to stop underage students from entering their names into the Goblet of Fire.
Aguamenti
Pronunciation: AH-gwa-MEN-tee
Description: Produces a jet of water from the tip of a wand.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Fleur Delacour in 1994 to put out her skirt, which had caught fire during her challenge against a dragon. Harry used it twice in 1997: Once in an attempt to give Dumbledore a drink in the Horcrux cave, and again to douse Hagrid's hut after it was set on fire by Thorfinn Rowle using the spell Incendio.
Etymology: Possibly an extension of Spanish words agua(aqua) ("water") and mente ("mind").
Alerte Ascendare used by Gilderoy Lockhart to launch a snake into the air in the Duelling Club.
Alarte Ascendare
Pronunciation: A-LEHRT-tey ah-SEN-deh-rey
Description: Shoots an object or creature into the air
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Gilderoy Lockhart at the Duelling Club in the movie version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Etymology: Ascendare is a Latin verb meaning 'to climb' or 'to ascend'.
(Albus Dumbledore's spell)
Description:This spell was told to be very very powerful since when Dumbledore casts this spell, Voldemort can't bear the power of it so he conjures a silver shield to deflect it. When the spell hits the shield, 'a deep, gong-like note reverberated from it-an oddly chilling sound'.
Seen/Mentioned: This spell was seen once used by Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic, during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries on 17 June, 1996, while he duels with Voldemort.
Alohomora
Alohamora used by Hermione in 1991.
Pronunciation: al-lu-ha-MOR-ah or aluh-huh-MORA (video games)
Description: Used to open and unlock doors. It is not effective on doors bewitched to resist this spell. The spell can also unseal doors upon which the Colloportus spell has been cast.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger in 1991 on the forbidden Third Floor Corridor door at Hogwarts.
Etymology: Alohomora is derived from the West African Sidiki dialect used in geomancy meaning: Friendly to thieves as stated by J.K. Rowling in testimony during the WB and JKR vs. RDR Books. [1]
Notes: In the books, when Alohomora is used, the lock/door must be tapped three times.
Anapneo
Pronunciation: ah-NAP-nee-oh
Description: Clears the target's airway, if blocked.
Seen/Mentioned: Professor Slughorn cast this on Marcus Belby when he choked in 1996.
Etymology: From the Greek verb anapneo, "I breathe in". Compare apnea. Anapneo and Episkey are the first spells obviously derived from Greek.
(Anti-Jinx)
Description: An Anti-Jinx is a type of spell that prevents the effects of a jinx over one target object or animal.
Seen/Mentioned: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Anteoculatia (Antler spell)
Pronunciation: an-TAY-oh-KYOO-lay-shuh
Description: Anteoculatia is a hex that turns a person's hair into antlers.
Seen/Mentioned: It can be bought at Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment in Diagon Alley in Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4.
Notes: This may be the incantation of the spell that was used to make Pansy Parkinson grow antlers in 1996.
(Anti-Cheating Spell)
Pronunciation:Unknown
Description: Cast on parchment to prevent the writer from cheating while writing answers.
Seen/Mentioned: Near exam times at Hogwarts.
(Anti-Disapparition Jinx)
Pronunciation:Unknown
Description: Used to prevent Disapparition in an area for a time. Presumably can be used to prevent an enemy from entering a defended area, or used to trap an enemy in an area.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore in 1996 during the Death Eater attack on the Department of Mysteries. It is also mentioned that no one can apparate in the Hogwarts premises. It is due to this jinx.
(Antonin Dolohov's curse)
Pronunciation:Unknown
Description: Causes severe internal injury; potentially lethal. The exact effects are unknown, but because of its danger, it is probably a Dark curse.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Death Eater Antonin Dolohov during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. He severely injured Hermione Granger with this curse; she was incapacitated instantly and had to take ten potions every day for some time in order to recover.
Notes: This curse is less effective when used nonverbally, but it still causes significant harm, at least when used by an accomplished caster. Also, Hermione had the added benefit of a hastily cast Shield Charm by Harry Potter which may have also lessened the damage caused.(could be the incantation "axelo")
Aparecium
Pronunciation: AH-par-EE-see-um
Description: This spell makes invisible ink, and perhaps invisible items in general, appear.
Seen/Mentioned: First used in 1993, when Hermione Granger tried to make any hidden writing appear in Tom Riddle's Diary.
Etymology: Latin apparere, "to appear"; -ium and -cium are common Latin noun endings.
Notes: See also Specialis Revelio.
(Apparation)
Description: Causes the user to magically teleport from one place to another. It is imprecise over long distances. A license is needed to perform on one's own at the age of 17. If done incorrectly, the user can splinch themselves, causing a part of their body to be separated and left behind.
Seen/Mentioned: Used throughout the series. Harry and his classmates took Apparition Class in 1997.
Notes: No incantation, Hand Movement: Turn on the spot while remembering the 3 Ds, which stand for destination, determination and deliberation.
Aqua Eructo
Description: Aqua Eructo is a spell used to create a jet of clear water, and then control it.
Seen/Mentioned: from the video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Etymology: "Aqua" means, in Latin, "Water". "Eructo" is the verb "I raise". "Aqua Eructo" means, roughly translated: "I Raise Water"
Arania Exumai
Pronunciation: ah-rahn-ee-a eks-su-may
Description: The Spider-killing Curse is a spell used to kill or, at least, blast back Acromantulas or other large spider species.
Seen/Mentioned: Harry uses this in the Forbidden Forest against the attacking Acromantulas in the film version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He learned this from Tom Marvolo Riddle, who attempted to use it against Aragog in the memory Harry visits.
Etymology: From the Latin aranea, meaning “spider”, and exuo, meaning “I lay aside”.
Aresto Momentum
Pronunciation: ah-REST-oh mo-MEN-tum
Description: Used to slow down an object or being that is moving.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Dumbledore to save Harry Potter from a fall in the film version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Etymology: Likely the combination of two words; the Anglo-French arester, meaning "To bring to a stop", and the Latin Momentum, meaning "The force or strength gained whilst moving." Literal translation: "Bring its momentum to a stop."
(Armour-bewitching spell)
Description: Causes suits of armour to sing carols.
Seen/Mentioned: This spell was used by the staff at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to bewitch suits of armour so that they sang Christmas carols whenever someone walked past during the Christmas season in 1994.
(Arrow-shooting spell)
Description: Fires arrows from the caster's wand.
Seen/Mentioned: The spell was usually used by Appleby Arrows supportors at Quidditch matches to show their suppot for their teams, however, the British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters banned the use of the spell at matches when referee Nugent Potts was pierced through the nose with a stray arrow in 1894.
Ascendio
Pronunciation: Ah-SEN-DI-oh
Description: Lifts the caster high into the air.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry Potter in the Second Task to lift him to the surface of the water in the movie version of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Etymology: Coming from latin ascendo, meaning "to climb".[2]
Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse)
Pronunciation: ah-VAH-dah keh-DAV-rah (IPA: /ə.'væ.də kə.'dæv.ɹə/)
Description: Causes a bright green flash and a rushing noise; the curse causes instant death to the victim. There is no known counter-curse or blocking spell (with the exception of the curse striking another spell midflight, negating both), although the caster can be interrupted, the victim can dodge the green jet, hide behind solid objects (which burst into flame when hit by it), or, if the casting wizard is not sufficiently competent, the curse may be completely ineffective as described by Barty Crouch Jr. (acting as Alastor Moody) in Goblet of Fire. Harry twice countered this spell by casting Expelliarmus. It is one of the three Unforgivable Curses; the use of this spell on another human being gives you a one-way ticket to Azkaban.
The magical conditions have also been documented to defeat the curse, even on a direct hit:
• Harry Potter was given magical protection against Lord Voldemort's use of the curse, when his mother sacrificed herself to save him.
• Harry is the only person in the history of the magical world to have ever survived a direct hit to the killing curse.
• Harry is saved by the twin cores effect between his wand and Voldemort's during a duel, as well as during a battle. During this battle, Harry's phoenix feather wand snaps the wand Voldemort borrowed from one of his servants, Lucius Malfoy. The reason for this is unknown. Dumbledore believes this feat to be due to the unique connections and relationships between the two duellists, which are complex and are "realms of magic hitherto unknown".
• In Deathly Hallows, Harry is saved twice. The 1st time because when Voldemort tried to kill Harry as a baby, a piece of Voldemort's soul flaked off and was trapped within Harry himself (giving Harry a connection to, and many of the powers of, Voldemort). When the killing curse hit Harry in the Forbidden Forest, it killed the piece of Voldemort's soul trapped in Harry, and sent Harry to a nether region where Voldemort's use of Harry's blood gave Harry a lifeline back to the world of the living, should he choose to use it, and he decided to return to life. The second time, Harry was able to deflect the curse back at Voldemort (who died from it) because of a special condition involving the Elder Wand. This had been 'won' by Draco when he disarmed Dumbledore of his wand, but none understood this at the time, and Draco did not use the Elder Wand. Harry had won Draco's wand in a life-or-death duel, thereby proving to the Elder Wand that Harry should be the wand's true master. Therefore, when Harry used Draco's wand to cast Expelliarmus against Voldemort's Killing Curse, the killing curse rebounded on Voldemort leaving Harry unharmed and killing Voldemort once and for all.
Seen/Mentioned: First said (not by name) at the beginning of the first book when Harry arrives at the Dursley's home. First seen in The Philosopher's Stone, during the flashback while Hagrid described Harry's parent's deaths, Voldemort is seen killing Lily Evans. Next in Goblet of Fire against Muggle Frank Bryce, and in every book following. It is noted that while Harry has used every other Unforgivable Curse successfully he has never used the Killing Curse.
Suggested Etymology: During an audience interview at the Edinburgh Book Festival (15 April 2004) Rowling said: "Does anyone know where avada kedavra came from? It is an ancient spell in Aramaic, and it is the original of abracadabra, which means 'let the thing be destroyed.' Originally, it was used to cure illness and the 'thing' was the illness, but I decided to make it the 'thing' as in the person standing in front of me. I take a lot of liberties with things like that. I twist them round and make them mine."[3]
Avifors
Pronunciation: Avy -fors
Description: Turns inanimate objects into birds.
Seen/mentioned: The Harry potter video games.
Etymology: From Latin "Avis" meaning "bird" and Latin "fors" meaning "for luck"
Avis
Pronunciation: AY-vis
Description: A flock of birds comes out of the wand. When coupled with Oppugno, it can be used offensively.
Seen/Mentioned: Used in 1994 by Mr. Ollivander to test Viktor Krum's wand. Also employed by Hermione in 1996, along with Oppugno against Ron Weasley.
Etymology: The Latin avis means "bird".
B
(Babbling Curse)
Pronunciation: Unknown
Description: The Babbling Curse is not fully understood but it is presumed to cause a person to babble whenever they try to speak.
Seen/Mentioned: According to Gilderoy Lockhart, he once cured a Transylvanian villager of this affliction, but as he proved an untrustworthy source of information, it is possible the curse does not exist at all. However, the curse itself may exist, but it could be that someone else cured the said villager.
(Bat-Bogey Hex)
Pronunciation: Unknown
Description: Grotesquely enlarges the target's bogies, gives them wings, and sets them attacking the target.
Seen/Mentioned: Ginny Weasley is a noted practitioner of this hex, and used it on Draco Malfoy to facilitate her, Ron, Luna and Neville’s escape from the Inquisitorial Squad in 1996, and later on Zacharias Smith when he persistently questioned her about what happened during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
Notes: This may also be the "Curse of the Bogies" mentioned by Ron in 1991 as a potential punishment should either Hermione or Neville get him and Harry in trouble. However, "bogey" can also mean a monster or a spectre, to which said curse might be referring.
Baubillious
Pronunciation:' baw-BILL-ee-us
Description: Unknown. Creates a bright bolt of white light from the tip of the wand.
Seen/Mentioned: Only in the Harry Potter TCG.
Etymology: From the English, bauble? Etymology unclear.
Notes: Judging by the incantation it is possibly the spell used by Filius Flitwick to decorate the Hogwarts Christmas Tree.
(Bedazzling Hex)
Pronunciation:Unknown
Description: Similar to a Disillusionment Charm, it can be used to conceal a person or an object.
Seen/Mentioned: By Xenophilius Lovegood in 1998 when describing how the Cloak of Invisibility is the only thing that can make a person truly invisible, not requiring a Disillusionment Charm or a Bedazzling Hex.
Notes: Is used to make invisiblity cloaks, although those cloaks aren't true cloaks of invisibility. It is not sure what the difference is between a disillusionment charm and a bedazzling hex. A disillusionment charm, would appear to simply make the target blend in very well with the surroundings whereas the bedazzling hex, given its name might possible mess directly with the eyes of anyone looking at the cloak wearer, so they would not appear to be there. Both the word bedazzling (bedazzle means cleverly outwit.) and the hex part of the name suggest this.
(Bellatrix Lestrange's spell)
Description: Produces a burst of blue light and causes windows to shatter.
Seen/Mentioned: Was used by Bellatrix Lestrange to shatter the windows in the Great Hall in her insane celebratory outburst after the death of Albus Dumbledore in 1997.
(Blasting Charm)
Pronounciation:Unknown
Description:The Blasting Charm is a spell which presumably creates an explosion. It may be a safer, less destructive version of the Blasting Curse.
Seen/Mentioned:Alberta Toothill used a Blasting Charm to defeat Samson Wiblin in the All-England Wizarding Duelling Competition of 1430.
(Bluebell Flames)
Description: Creates a quantity of blue flame which can be directed to a specific place such as into a glass jar.
Seen/Mentioned: Hermione cast a bluebell flame that could be carried around in a jam jar, sent out a short distance, then retrieved into the jar; she used it to set Snape's robes on fire during the first Quidditch match of her first year. Hermione also used this spell against Devil's Snare when working through the challenges surrounding the Philosopher's Stone.
Notes: Bluebell flames are waterproof and only heat/burn the intended target.
Bombarda
Pronunciation: bom-bar-dah
Description: Causes a small explosion.
Seen/Mentioned: Hermione used this spell to free Sirius Black from his cage in the film version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. A stronger version of this spell, Bombarda Maxima, is performed by Dolores Umbridge to force her way into the Room of Requirement in the film version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Notes: Both the regular and Maxima versions of this spell only appear in the films.
Brackium Emendo
Pronunciation: br-ah-kee-um e-men-do
Description: If used correctly, Gilderoy Lockhart claims it will heal a broken bone.
Seen/Mentioned: Used unsuccessfully by Gilderoy Lockhart on Harry Potter in the film version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (instead of healing the bone it vanished all the bones in Harry's arm, leaving it not unlike rubber).
Etymology: From the Latin “bracchium”, meaning “forearm”, and “emendo”, meaning “I improve”.
(Bubble-Head Charm)
Pronunciation: Unknown
Description: Puts a large bubble of air around the head of the user. Used as a magical equivalent of a breathing set.
Seen/Mentioned: Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour used this underwater in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1995. It was also used by many Hogwarts students when walking through the hallways in 1996, because of the bad smells caused by the various pranks played on Dolores Umbridge.
(Bubble-producing spell)
Description: Creates a stream of non-bursting bubbles. The colour of the bubbles can vary and can be controlled by the caster.
Seen/Mentioned: Professor Flitwick used the spell to decorate the twelve Christmas trees at Hogwarts in Christmas of 1991. The bubbles in this instance were golden.
Notes: This spell is similiar to Ebublio and the Bubble-Head Charm.
C
Calvorio (Hair Loss Curse)
Description: Calvorio is a spell that is cast on a victim to make him/her bald. This spell is also useful in vanishing hats. When cast, there is a possbility that the spell will backfire and will affect the caster.
Seen/Mentioned: In Philosopher's Stone, Harry visits the "Curses and Counter-Curses" shop in Diagon Alley, on the sign it mentioned 3 curses; Hair loss, Jelly-Legs and Tongue-Tying.
Notes: This spell can be bought at Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment in Diagon Alley in Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4.
Carpe Retractum
Pronunciation: car-pay ruh-track-tum
Description: Produces a magical rope attached to the caster's wand that pulls objects towards the spell caster.
Seen/Mentioned: PoA and GoF Games
Etymology: From the Latin “carpe”, meaning to seize, and “retracto”, meaning “I draw back”.
(Caterwauling Charm)
Pronunciation::Unknown
Description: Anyone entering the perimeter of a Caterwauling Charm sets off a high-pitched shriek.
Seen/Mentioned: Cast by Death Eaters over Hogsmeade to protect against intruders in 1998.
Notes: Could be another form of the Intruder Charm.
Etymology: Caterwaul means to wail like a cat.
(Cauldron to Sieve)
Description: transfigures cauldrons into sieves.
Seen/Mentioned: Harry Potter Trading Card Game
Cave Inimicum
Pronunciation::Kah-way ih-nih-mih-kum
Description: Warns of any approaching enemies (possible).
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger in 1998 to protect the tent she shared with Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.
Etymology: Cave Inimicum is a Latin phrase which translates to "beware of the enemy".
(Cheering Charm)
Pronunciation:: chee-e-ro
Description: Causes the person upon whom the spell was cast to become happy and contented, though heavy-handedness with the spell may cause the person to break into an uncontrollable laughing fit.
Seen/Mentioned: First seen in a Charms class in 1994. Cheering Charms were part of the written Charms O.W.L. exam.
Notes: Invented by Felix Summerbee.
Cistem Aperio
Pronunciation:: SIS-tem uh-PE-ree-o
Description: It opens a chest.
Etymology: aperio is Latin for open, uncover, to uncover, lay bare, reveal, or make clear. Cista is Latin for trunk, or chest. If so, however, Cistem is likely a form of b*****d Latin. Furthermore, if cista is its root, then it would be pronounced with a hard c (ca)
Seen/Mentioned: It was used by Tom Riddle to open the chest where Aragog was hidden.
Colloportus
Pronunciation: cul-loh-POR-tus
Description: This spell will magically lock a door, preventing it from being opened by Muggle means.
Seen/Mentioned: First in 1996 by Hermione in the Department of Mysteries against some Death Eaters.
Etymology: Perhaps a portmanteau of the Latin words colligere ("gather" or "collect") and porta ("gate"). The Greek root kolla also means "glue" and becomes collo- in many English words. Notably, the spell causes a door to seal itself "with an odd squelching noise". It may also be derived from portcullis, which was used in medieval times as a barricade or last line of defence.
Notes: The Death Eaters did succeed in opening a door locked with Colloportus using Alohomora.
Colloshoo
Description: This spell is used to glue one's shoes to the ground with some sort of sticky ectoplasm.
Seen/Mentioned: This spells is seen in the Harry Potter Trading Card Game.
Etymology: The suffix "shoo" derives from the English noun "shoe". The prefix "Collo" derives from the greek verb: "κολάω,κολώ" (which means "to glue").
(Colour-Change Charm)
Pronunciation::Unknown
Description: Changes an object's colour.
Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry's O.W.L. examinations in 1996. It may also be the same charm as when Harry accidentally changed the colour of his eyebrow, before he asked Luna to Slughorn's Christmas party. (Unlikely, as that was performed as a Transfiguration exercise, which is rather unrelated to Charms.) Could of possibly been used when Harry accidentally changed the colour of his teachers hair, in his Primary School.
Colovaria
Pronunciation: co-loh-VA-riah
Description: Colovaria is a charm used to change one's hair colour and style.
Seen/Mentioned: It can be bought in Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment in Diagon Alley in Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4.
Etymology: The incantation probably derives from the words "colour" and "vary", meaning that the spell alters, varies the coulour of an object.
Notes: It is possible that this is the incantation of the Colour Change Charm.
Confringo (Blasting Curse)
Pronunciation: con-FRIN-goh (hard "g") or con-FRIN-joh
Description: Causes anything that the spell comes into contact with to explode into flames.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry to destroy the side-car of the flying motorbike during the battle against the Death Eaters in 1997. Later, Hermione used it in an attempt to kill Nagini and facilitate an escape from Bathilda Bagshot's house in Godric's Hollow.
Etymology: Confringo is Latin for "I break".
Notes: This spell seems to use heat as the source for the explosion. Harry is able to feel the 'heat' of the spell as it passes him when Hermione uses it against Nagini. Noting this, and due to the description of how the side-car exploded, it seems that the Blasting Curse is essentially a magical bomb, while the similar curse Expulso merely blows objects apart without using heat.
Confundo (Confundus Charm)
Pronunciation: con-FUN-doh
Description: Causes the victim to become confused and befuddled.
Seen/Mentioned: First mentioned in 1994, when Severus Snape suggested that Harry and Hermione had been Confunded so that they would believe Sirius Black's claim to innocence. Also used in 1996 by Hermione to prevent Cormac McLaggen from making Gryffindor Keeper over Ron. The Confundus Charm was used multiple times in 1997 including: Severus Snape on Ministry of Magic Official John Dawlish, Harry Potter while under his Invisibility cloak on two Gringotts wizard guards who were wielding Probity Probes, and again by Severus Snape on Mundungus Fletcher under orders from Albus Dumbledore. While under the influence of the Confundus Charm, Mundungus then "suggested" to the Order of the Phoenix that they use seven Harrys to confuse Voldemort while they move him from Privet Drive to The Burrow. The Confundus Charm was also used in 2017 by Ron Weasley as the means used to pass his Muggle driving exam.
Etymology: The word "confundus" appears to be derived from the Latin confundere, meaning "to confuse; to perplex", whereas confundo means "I confuse". Similarly, it may also derive from the english word "confound".
(Conjunctivitus Curse)
Pronunciation: Rup-ti-SPECK-tis
Description: A curse that causes great pain to the victim's eyes.
Seen/Mentioned: It was suggested by Sirius Black in the letter that he sent Harry and used by Viktor Krum in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994. It was also used by Madame Maxime in 1995 on giants.
Etymology: Presumably, the common name is derived from the Conjunctivitis disease, more commonly known as "pink eye" or "caterpillar eye" due to its scabby inflammation. However, the incantation may come from the Latin words specto meaning "to watch" and the Latin word for "disrupt", in which case, the incantation would mean "disrupt the sight'.
(Cornflake skin spell)
Description: causes the target's skin to look as though it was coated in cornflakes.
Seen/Mentioned: In 1996, Warrington went to the hospital wing for treatment after he was hit with it, presumably in retaliation for the Inquisitorial Squad's recent behaviour.
(Cracker Jinx)
Description: conjures exploding Wizard Crackers.
Notes: This jinx can be used in duelling to cause harm on the opponent, but the force of the explosion may also affect the caster.
(Cribbing Spell)
Pronunciation: Unknown
Description: A spell that assists the caster in cheating on written papers, tests and exams.
Seen/Mentioned: In the video game version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone a Slytherin student asks about cribbing spells.
Crucio (Cruciatus Curse)
Pronunciation: KROO-shea-oh, KROO-see-oh
Description: Inflicts intense pain on the recipient of the curse. The pain is described as hot knives being driven into you. This curse is affected by the caster's emotions. In an incurable rage, Harry Potter attempts this curse on Bellatrix Lestrange after she murders his Godfather. The curse fails to hurt Bellatrix for long and she mocks him, stating that the caster needed to enjoy the pain inflicted with the Cruciatus Curse. The only time Harry has successfully executed this curse is in the Ravenclaw common room on Amycus Carrow, who had forced Minerva McGonagall to lead him in after he heard that Harry was there. He planned to pass off the assault of his sister, Alecto who Harry had stunned upon entrance, onto the students for an excuse to punish them. When McGonagall objected, he spat in her face. Enraged by his treatment of a teacher he greatly admired, and of the students, Harry burst from the concealment of the Invisibility cloak and cast a true Cruciatus Curse, knocking the Death Eater out.
Seen/Mentioned

Etymology: Latin crucio, "I torture" (perfect passive participle cruciatus).
D
(Daydream Charm)
Pronunciation:: unknown
Description: Gives the spell caster a highly-realistic 30-minute daydream. Side effects include mild drooling and a vacant expression.
Seen/Mentioned: These were invented by Fred and George Weasley and sold in 1996 at their joke shop, presumably in the form of some kind of physical object, similar to Skiving Snackboxes.
Defodio (Gouging Spell)
Pronunciation: deh-FOH-dee-oh
Description: This spell causes deep gouges to appear in the object targeted by the spell.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione, Harry, and Ron in 1998 to help tunnel out of the Gringotts Tunnels while on the dragon as well as in their escape from Luna Lovegood's home, also in 1998. Also used by Harry in 1998 to carve the words "Here Lies Dobby, A Free Elf." in Dobby the house elf's grave stone, after the brave elf was stabbed to death by a furious Bellatrix Lestrange.
Etymology: Defodio is Latin for "I dig".
Deletrius
Pronunciation: deh-LEE-tree-us
Description: An erasure spell. It erases images and magical "after-effects".
Seen/Mentioned: First seen in 1994 when Amos Diggory got rid of the echo of the Dark Mark from Harry's wand.
Etymology: Latin delere, meaning "to destroy". A different tense spawns the English word "delete".
Densaugeo
Pronunciation: den-sah-OO-jee-oh
Description: This hex makes the victim's teeth grow rapidly.
Seen/Mentioned: Introduced in 1994 when Draco Malfoy's spell rebounded on Hermione outside of the Potions classroom.
Etymology: From Latin dens, "tooth", and augeo, "I increase" or "I enlarge".
Depulso (Banishing Charm)
Pronunciation: biggrin e-pul-soh
Description: The Banishing Charm. Used to send the target to a certain location.
Seen/Method: Learned in the fourth year at Hogwarts.
Etymology: From the Latin “depulsio”, meaning “driving away”. Also is similar to repulse meaning "drive away with force". It could also be seen to be derived from the english word pulse (as in a pulse of energy.) and the prefix "de" which would make it mean "a negative pulse of energy."
Descendo
Pronunciation: deh-SEN-doh
Description: Causes any targeted object to move downwards.
Seen/Mentioned: In 1997, it was used by Ron to magically cause the stairs in his room, which lead to the attic, to descend, as well as by Crabbe in the Room of Requirement to lower the wall behind which Ron was hiding.
Etymology: Descendo is Latin for "I descend".
Deprimo
Pronunciation: DEE-prih-moh.
Description: This spell places immense downward pressure upon its target, which may result in the violent fracturing of said target.
Seen/Mentioned: Introduced in 1998 when Hermione blasted a hole through the living room floor in Xenophilius Lovegood's house.
Etymology: Derived from the Latin deprimo, "I press down".
Diffindo (Severing Charm)
Pronunciation: dih-FIN-doh
Description: Tears the target or a specific area on the target.
Seen/Mentioned: In 1994 when Harry urgently wanted to talk to Cedric Diggory he casted this spell to rip his bag, delaying him for class. Ron also used this spell to trim the lace off his dress robes before the Yule Ball. It was also used in 1996 by Harry to change the covers of his second hand and brand new copies of Advanced Potion Making.
Etymology: Latin diffindere, "to divide" or "to split".
Diminuendo
Pronunciation: dim-in-YEW-en-DOUGH
Desription: Forces objects to shrink
Seen/Mentioned: Performed by Nigel in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Etymology: From the Latin word "diminuere", meaning to diminish. Quite posibly the musical term diminuendo, meaning a gradual decrease of loudness.
Dissendium
Pronunciation: dis-EN-dee-um
Description: Causes the statue of the humpbacked witch (Gunhilda Of Gorsemore) hiding the secret passage to Honeydukes to open up.
Seen/Mentioned: First seen in 1993.
Etymology: Quite simply, a phonetic spelling of the English word "descend" with a common Latin noun ending attached (-ium). The name also vaguely suggests "dissident", meaning to be against the laws. It could also come from the Latin word Dissocio, which means to part or to separate (in its verb form). The word en can mean both here and look Dium, could refer to the sun and normally translates as day or, more appropriately, today but can also be used as the command now. Together Dissendium could mean Separate here, now.
Notes: This may not be a spell in the strict sense, but a magical password like "Mimbulus Mimbletonia" (once a password for the Fat Lady) and "Acid Pops" (one of the passwords for Dumbledore's office gargoyle in 1996). However, it is mentioned that Harry has to tap the statue of the crone while saying the spell in order for it to open up. Also, the name of the spell is similar to the way other spells are named, suggesting that it may be a spell in its own right. A more logical explanation would be that it opens secret passages in general, although it is only used on the particular statue in the series, so this is not confirmed, it is just an idea.
Disillusionment Charm
Pronunciation: Unknown
Description: Hides objects and humans
Seen/Mentioned: Seen/Mentioned: Alastor Moody used the charm on Harry in 1995. Also mentioned in the Ministry of Magic leaflet provided to all magical people as a precaution against Voldemort's reign of terror. Xenophilius Lovegood mentions, in 1998, that invisibility cloaks are sometimes created by casting a disillusionment charm on a regular cloak, but that such charms will eventually fade and become visible. Is also used by Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Draconifors
Description: Turns statues of dragons into real dragons.
Etymology: From the Latin draco, meaning “dragon”, and fors, meaning “luck”. Questionable incantation.
Seen/Mentioned: PoA Game.
Ducklifors
Description: Transfigures target creature into a duck. A more reasonable incantation would be Zointrao Versavertamum (from zoo (animal-related), intra (within) and oo (egg), plus Versaverte, the transfiguration spell.
Etymology: From the English "duck", and the Latin "fors", meaning "luck". Questionable incantation.
Seen/Mentioned: GoF Game.