prompt

—promptly, adv. —promptness, n.

/prompt/, adj., prompter, promptest, v., n.

adj.

1. done, performed, delivered, etc., at once or without delay: a prompt reply.

2. ready in action; quick to act as occasion demands.

3. quick or alert: prompt to take offense.

4. punctual.

v.t.

5. to move or induce to action: What prompted you to say that?

6. to occasion or incite; inspire: What prompted his resignation?

7. to assist (a person speaking) by suggesting something to be said.

8. Theat. to supply (an actor, singer, etc.) from offstage with a missed cue or forgotten line.

v.i.

9. Theat. to supply forgotten lines, lyrics, or the like to an actor, singer, etc.

n.

10. Com.

a. a limit of time given for payment for merchandise purchased, the limit being stated on a note of reminder (prompt note).

b. the contract setting the time limit.

11. the act of prompting.

12. something serving to suggest or remind.

13. Computers. a message or symbol from a computer system to a user, generally appearing on a display screen, requesting more information or indicating that the system is ready for user instructions.

14. take a prompt, (in acting) to move or speak in response to a cue.

[1300-50; (v.) ME < ML promptare to incite, L: to distribute, freq. of promere to bring out, equiv. to pro- PRO-¹ + (e)mere to take, buy; (adj.) late ME < L promptus ready, prompt, special use of ptp. of promere]

Syn. 5. urge, spur, instigate, impel.

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