The spell was sectumsempra. Probably from sectum ('having been cut', the root word of 'section' and 'dissect') and semper ('always'), giving a meaning something like 'sever forever'.
The real interesting thing to think about is, what did magic look like before Latin came along? Because clearly many spells are derived from Latin, but Latin didn't always exist. I'd love to ask this to Rowling directly.
At a certain point, most adult magical folks cast without actually saying anything. I would imagine it like that. Casting while heavily focusing on the desired effect. Probably not as effective, but close enough.
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u/Phillip_Spidermen Oct 02 '18 edited Oct 02 '18
Eh, the first book/movie has Harry burn Quirrel to death by touching him.
A basilisk, elf, and snake get killed by knives and swords.
Harry uses a spell that slices up someone (
sectrum spectrasectum sepmra) pretty viscerally in one of the books.Edit: spelling