I. ˈpräm(p)t transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin promptare, from Latin promptus prompt
Date: 14th century
1. : to move to action : incite
2. : to assist (one acting or reciting) by suggesting or saying the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned : cue
3. : to serve as the inciting cause of
evidence prompt ing an investigation
• prompt·er noun
II. adjective
Date: 1784
: of or relating to prompting actors
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin promptus ready, prompt, from past participle of promere to bring forth, from pro- forth + emere to take — more at redeem
Date: 15th century
1. : being ready and quick to act as occasion demands
2. : performed readily or immediately
prompt assistance
Synonyms: see quick
• prompt·ly ˈpräm(p)t-lē, ˈpräm-plē adverb
• prompt·ness ˈpräm(p)t-nəs, ˈprämp-nəs noun
IV. noun
( plural prompts ˈpräm(p)ts, ˈprämps)
Date: circa 1531
1.
[ prompt (I)]
: something that prompts : reminder
2.
[ prompt (III)]
: a limit of time given for payment of an account for goods purchased ; also : the contract by which this time is fixed