

Harry Potter Etymology | Severus Snape
SEVERUS: Sever means “to cut off.” “Severe” means “cruel, strict” - two characteristics that accurately describe the Potions Professor. Sounds very similiar to the Latin word “servus,” meaning “servant.”A Saint Severus of Alexandria (Egypt) was martyred along with a Saint Peter and a Saint Leucius for publicly proclaiming the faith around 309 C.E. Severus, Peter, and Lucius - quite a coincidence!