πέτομαι
Etym. πτάς as if from ἵπτημι
I. "to fly", of birds, bees, gnats, etc., Hom., etc.:—then, of arrows, stones, javelins, etc., Il.: also of any quick motion, "to fly along, dart, rush", of men, id=Il., etc.
II. metaph. "to be on the wing, flutter", Lat. volitare, of uncertain hopes, Pind., Soph.; of fickle natures, Eur.; ὄρνις πετόμενος a bird "ever on the wing", Ar.; πετόμενόν τινα διώκεις "you are chasing a butterfly" Plat.