Deplorable Word
Also known as the Deplorable Word
A forbidden spell that destroys every living thing in a world except the speaker. Jadis uses it rather than accept defeat in Charn’s civil war.
This encyclopedia follows the whole story. Plot details from all seven chronicles may appear below.
Primary sources
In the chronicles
These links are generated from exact-name appearances in the supplied novels. Each opens the cited paragraph in the local reader.
The Magician's Nephew3 cited passages⌄
- Chapter V · paragraph 28
…ow that I had more Magic than she. She even knew that I had the secret of the Deplorable Word. Did she think--she was always weakling--that I would not use it?"
Open passage → - Chapter V · paragraph 32
…nd said, 'Victory.' 'Yes,' said I, 'Victory, but not yours.' Then I spoke the Deplorable Word. A moment later I was the only living thing beneath the sun."
Open passage → - Chapter XV · paragraph 6
…n that some wicked one of your race will not find out a secret as evil as the Deplorable Word and use it to destroy all living things. And soon, very soon, before you are an old man and an old woman, great…
Open passage →
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