prompt

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To make someone decide to do something, or to cause something to happen.

   The bad weather prompted us to cancel the trip.

2. 2
   adj

   Done quickly, without delay.

   Thank you for your prompt reply to my email.

3. 3
   adj

   On time; punctual.

   Please be prompt for your appointment.

4. 4
   noun

   A reminder given to an actor of the words they should say next.

   The forgetful actor needed a prompt from backstage.

The adjective is from Middle English prompte, from Middle French prompt and its etymon Latin prōmptus (“visible, apparent, evident”), past participle of prōmō (“to take or bring out or forth, produce, bring to light”), from prō (“forth, forward”) + emō (“to take, acquire, buy”). Doublet of pronto. The verb is from Middle English prompen, apparently from the adjective. The noun is from the verb.

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