Type: Charm
Pronunciation: ah-REST-oh mo-MEN-tum
Description: Decreases the velocity of a moving target. Can be used on multiple targets, as well as on the caster themselves. It was invented by Daisy Pennifold in 1711 for use on the Quaffle in Quidditch.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Dumbledore to save one of his students from a fall in 1993; Hermione Granger used it, to little effect, in 1998 to cushion an otherwise deadly fall.
Etymology: Likely the combination of the Anglo-French arester, meaning "to bring to a stop" and the Latin momentum, meaning "the force or strength gained whilst moving"; the literal translation hence is "Bring the force or strength gained whilst moving to a stop".
