English Explanatory Dictionary

Avada Kedavra

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To use the Killing Curse from the Harry Potter series on (someone), causing immediate death.
  2. To destroy (something).

Word forms

Avada Kedavra Avada Kedavras Avada Kedavra-ing Avada Kedavra'd Avada Kedavraed

Etymology

Verbalization of the incantation of the Killing Curse in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Rowling has stated that it is from Aramaic עַבְדָא כְּדַבְרָא (avda kedavra, literally “what was said has been done”), calling it “the original of abracadabra, which means ‘let the thing be destroyed’”; compare Hebrew עַבְרָא כְּדַבְרָא (avra kedavra, literally “what was said has come to pass”). In fact, a relationship of these terms with abracadabra (of unknown origin) has been suggested, but there is little supporting evidence.

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