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harry potter - What Is the Difference Between Wizard and Warlock in Potterverse?


One of Dumbledore's titles is "Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot".


What is the difference between a Wizard and a Warlock in Potterverse? As we don't see the term Warlock used often in the books, my impression is that a Warlock is somehow officially different from a Wizard.



Please no Wikipedia, HP Wikia, or dictionary.com answers. I'm looking for a canon-based¹ explanation.


¹Any of the ten HP books or a quote from JKR



Answer



J. K. Rowling addresses her use of this in a footnote of the Warlock's Hairy Heart:



The term "warlock" is a very old one. Although it is sometimes used as interchangeable with "wizards", it originally denoted one learned in dueling and all martial magic. It was also given as a title to wizards who had performed feats of bravery, rather as Muggles were sometimes knighted for acts of valor. By calling the young wizard in this story a warlock, Beedle indicates that he has already been recognized as especially skillful at offensive magic. These days wizards use "warlock" in one of two ways: to describe a wizard of unusally fierce appearance, or as a title denoting particular skill or achievement. Thus, Dumbledore himself was Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. - JKR



As you see elsewhere in her writings there are numerous examples of Rowling using both words through the books (Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, The Warlock's Hairy Heart, innumerable counts of wizard), but some excerpts definitely use the words interchangeably:



Records show that witches and wizards in Europe were using flying broomsticks as early as A.D. 962. A German illuminated manuscript of this period shows three warlocks dismounting from their brooms with looks of exquisite discomfort on their faces.




From Quidditch Through The Ages.



Describe the circumstances that led to the formation of the International Confederation of Wizards and explain why the warlocks of Liechtenstein refused to join.



From the Order of the Phoenix (an exam question).



Of course, the centuries-old trade in love potions shows that our fictional wizard is hardly alone in seeking to control the unpredictable course of love.



From the Warlock's Hairy Heart's postscript, about the man described as a warlock everywhere else.



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