Lexical Definition

‎πτοέω‎ ptoéō (pto-eh'-o) to frighten ^G:V
probably akin to the alternate of ‎πίπτω‎ (through the idea of causing to fall) or to ‎πέτομαι‎ (through that of causing to fly away)

frighten.

• to scare

Abbott-Smith

πτοέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for חתת ni.;]
to terrify. Pass., to be terrified: Lk 21:9 24:37 (WH, mg., θροηθέντες).†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

πτοέω

and πτοιέω, future -ήσω[Refs 1st c.BC+]aorist ἐπτοίησα, Aeolic dialect ἐπτόαισα (see. below):—passive, Epic dialect aorist ἐπτοιήθην [Refs 3rd c.BC+]perfect ἐπτόημαι, Epic dialect ἐπτοίημαι (see. below):—terrify, scare, [Refs] [same place]:—passive, to be scared, dismayed, φρένες ἐπτοίηθεν [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἐπτοημένας δεινοῖς δράκουσιν by serpents, [NT+5th c.BC+] W.; of animals, [Refs 4th c.AD+]

__II metaphorically, flutter, excite by any passion, τό μοι καρδίαν.. ἐπτόαισεν [Refs 7th c.BC+]; Κύπρις ἐπ᾽ Αἰακίδῃ κούρῃ φρένας ἐπτοίησεν poetical cited in [Refs 1st c.BC+]:—passive, to be passionately excited, [Refs 6th c.BC+]; πτοιηθεὶς ὑπ᾽ ἔρωτι Call.[same place]; τὸ περὶ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας μὴ ἐπτοῆσθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐπὶ τὸ νέον[Refs 1st c.BC+]; to be distraught, μεθ᾽ ὁμήλικας ἐπτοίηται he gapes like one distraught after his fellows, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; τὸ πτοηθέν distraction, [Refs 5th c.BC+] only in dactylic verse, perhaps for the sake of meter; the -άω inflexion only in [Refs 6th c.BC+]; Lesb. -αις (ε) may have -αι- for -η- as αἰμίονος, etc.)

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Exod.19.16 ☩ Luke.21.9}