Poltergeist

From Harry Potter Wiki

A poltergeist is a type of apparition which is similar to a ghost. The main difference is that a poltergeist typically move objects and people with physical force.

Poltergeists cause vandalism, malicious mischief and chiefly frustrate and aggravate living persons. They can throw bricks through windows, knock over stacks of papers, carry away people's hats, ring telephones, and even blow out candles and other such acts, simply for amusement.

If there were to be a scientific explanation for this phenomenon, one such explanation could be the forces created by static electricity, electromagnetic fields, ionized air, uncontrolled electricity, unusual air currents, air vibrations such as acoustic levitation, or tremors caused by underground streams. Some scientists believe some poltergeist sightings to be simply meteorological instances of ball lightening.

Poltergeists typically haunt one specific location or one specific person which is known as a "focus." It is unknown why this is so. They typically do not take physical form, or if they do, it is usually in the form of a fantasy creature, such as a dog with a rabbit's head^[1].

Peeves is Hogwarts' resident poltergeist.

[edit] Etymology

"Poltergeist" comes from the German, literally meaning "rumble spirit."

[edit] Notes