Tag Archives: English-language lover

An Example of a Muggle, a rather superior Muggle with a gift for story-telling.

Today’s OED Word-of-the-Day is “Muggle,” as in, “Whoa! Look at all those Muggles queueing up! Wonder what they’re all waiting for!”

Muggle, n.4 : Oxford English Dictionary.

The OED defines Muggle as, “In the fiction of J. K. Rowling: a person who possesses no magical powers. Hence in allusive and extended uses: a person who lacks a particular skill or skills, or who is regarded as inferior in some way.”

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And today’s OED Word-of-the-Day, in honor (or honour!) of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:

maleficium, n. : Oxford English Dictionary. (Plural maleficia.)

The OED informs us the English “maleficium” comes from the classical Latin, maleficium, meaning evil deed, injury, sorcery.

The first definition offered for the English “maleficium” is: “An act of witchcraft performed with the intention of causing damage or injury; the resultant harm; (also) the power of Satan (rare). Now hist.”

Definition 1.b. is: “A potion or poison, used esp. in witchcraft.”

There are some great examples of the use of maleficium over the years. Drop by the OED in the next day or so to see the full entry.

In the meantime avoid any Death Eaters or other perpetrators of maleficia!

(Please note: the links eventually expire for unsubscribed users. They appear to be “good” for a day or two.)