πτήσσω

Ancient Greek

Alternative forms

  • πτώσσω (ptṓssō)

Etymology

The root is extensively discussed by Hackstein: according to him, Tocharian B pyāk-tsi (to strike down) is related, which requires a reconstruction of the root as *pieh₂(k)-. Also cognate are πτοέω (ptoéō, to be scared, dismayed) and πταίω (ptaíō, to stumble, trip) and, from other Indo-European languages, Lithuanian piáuti (to cut, mow) and perhaps Latin paviō (to beat, strike). However, according to Beekes, there are two problems with this reconstruction: first, the semantic connection between the Tocharian word and this verb is not evident, and second, it neglects the evidence of πτωχός (ptōkhós, beggar), which is clearly related and shows a Pre-Greek alternation.

Pronunciation

 

Verb

πτήσσω • (ptḗssō)

  1. (causal) to scare, alarm, terrify
  2. (intransitive) to crouch or cower for fear
  3. (of men in ambush) to crouch

Inflection

Derived terms

  • καταπτήσσω (kataptḗssō)
  • πτῆξῐς (ptêxis)
  • ὑποπτήσσω (hupoptḗssō)

Further reading

  • πτήσσω”, in Liddell & Scott (1940) A Greek–English Lexicon, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • πτήσσω”, in Liddell & Scott (1889) An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon, New York: Harper & Brothers
  • πτήσσω”, in Autenrieth, Georg (1891) A Homeric Dictionary for Schools and Colleges, New York: Harper and Brothers
  • πτήσσω in Bailly, Anatole (1935) Le Grand Bailly: Dictionnaire grec-français, Paris: Hachette
  • πτήσσω in Cunliffe, Richard J. (1924) A Lexicon of the Homeric Dialect: Expanded Edition, Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, published 1963
  • Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010) Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN
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