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.
Theater. to supply (an actor, singer, etc.) from offstage with a missed cue or forgotten line.
–verb (used without object)
9.
Theater. to supply forgotten lines, lyrics, or the like to an actor, singer, etc.
–noun
10.
Commerce.
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.
—Idiom
14.
take a prompt, (in acting) to move or speak in response to a cue.
Origin: 1300–50; (v.) ME < ML prōmptāre to incite, L: to distribute, freq. of prōmere to bring out, equiv. to prō-pro-1+ (e)mere to take, buy; (adj.) late ME < L promptus ready, prompt, special use of ptp. of prōmere
Carried out or performed without delay: a prompt reply.
tr.v.
prompt·ed, prompt·ing, prompts
To move to act; spur; incite: A noise prompted the guard to go back and investigate.
To give rise to; inspire: The accident prompted a review of school safety policy.
To assist with a reminder; remind.
To assist (an actor or reciter) by providing the next words of a forgotten passage; cue.
n.
The act of prompting or giving a cue.
A reminder or cue.
A prompt note.
The time limit stipulated in a prompt note.
Computer Science A symbol that appears on a monitor to indicate that the computer is ready to receive input.
Business
A prompt note.
The time limit stipulated in a prompt note.
[Middle English, ready, from Old French, from Latin prōmptus, from past participle of prōmere, to bring forth : prō-, forth; see pro-1 + emere, to take, obtain; see em- in Indo-European roots.] prompt'er n., promp'ti·tude' (prŏmp'tĭ-tōōd', -tyōōd'), prompt'ness (prŏmpt'nĭs) n., prompt'ly adv.
[prompt] 
adjective, -er, -est, verb, noun 