πτήσσω cf. καταπτήσσω
I.to frighten, scare, alarm, Lat. terrere, Il., Theogn.
II.intr. to crouch or cower down for fear (cf. πτώσσω), properly of animals, Soph.; of men, Pind., attic; πτ. βωμὸν ὕπο Eur.; also c. acc. loci, πτ. βωμόν to flee cowering to the altar, id=Eur.
2.to crouch like a wild beast ready to spring, id=Eur.;—so of men in ambush, ὑπὸ τεύχεσι πεπτηῶτες Od.
3.c. acc. rei, to crouch for fear of, ἀπειλάς Aesch.