The Latin word for "cross" is "crux," and the verb "cruciare" means "to crucify/torture." Crucio means "I torture," which is literally what the spell does in "Harry Potter." Crucio is one of the ...

Names are often literary references or jokes, and many of the "Harry Potter" spells provide a clear hint at their function for anyone familiar with Latin or Greek. Some spells are straightforward ...

J.K. Rowling relied on Latin and mythology for the names of spells in her worldwide Harry Potter series. Many biotech companies do the same in naming their business. Can you tell if the name is ...