The word Petrificus Totalus is an alteration of “totally petrify”.

The complete Body-Bind annoyance, this spell causes the victim’s body to go entirely inflexible, with their arms stuck by their side and their legs snapped jointly. The single object that they can still move about at the same time as in the pressure of the magic is their eyes. This annoyance has been used on various occasions during the series. It was first seen when Hermione to some extent regretfully cast it on Neville at the end of their first year, when Neville was trying to discontinue the trio going to recover the Philosopher’s Stone. Neville seemed none the inferior for his suffering afterward, and was much admired when Dumbledore gave him 10 House Points for standing up to them, which gained Gryffindor the House Cup.

Several years later, Harry used the annoyance to superior result on various occasions during the clash at the section of Mysteries. Antonin Dolohov in particular must have been cursing the day Harry learnt the mean, as he became sufferer to it two times.

Hermione used the annoyance to superior result in the bar on Tottenham Court Road when she, Harry and Ron were attacked by Thorfinn Rowle and Antonin Dolohov. She strike Dolohov with it after Rowle had been surprised, allowing the three to run away to Grimmauld Place. Voldemort also cast it on Neville Longbottom through the clash of Hogwarts, after which he put the Sorting Hat on Neville’s head and put fire to it.