Type: Curse
Pronunciation: KROO-see-oh
Description: Inflicts intense pain on the recipient of the curse. This curse does not physically harm the victim, but may in extreme cases drive them insane. The pain is described as having hot knives being driven into the victim. It cannot be cast successfully by a person who is doing so out of pure spite or anger; one must feel a true desire to cause the victim pain. If one casts this spell, he or she will receive a life sentence in Azkaban prison for it, as with the other two Unforgivable Curses.
Seen/Mentioned: Used multiple times from the fourth book onward.
Etymology: Latin crucio means "I torture".
Pronunciation: KROO-see-oh
Description: Inflicts intense pain on the recipient of the curse. This curse does not physically harm the victim, but may in extreme cases drive them insane. The pain is described as having hot knives being driven into the victim. It cannot be cast successfully by a person who is doing so out of pure spite or anger; one must feel a true desire to cause the victim pain. If one casts this spell, he or she will receive a life sentence in Azkaban prison for it, as with the other two Unforgivable Curses.
Seen/Mentioned: Used multiple times from the fourth book onward.
Etymology: Latin crucio means "I torture".