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.
Idioms
14.
take a prompt, (in acting) to move or speak in response to a cue.
Origin: 1300–50; (v.) Middle English < Medieval Latinprōmptāre to incite, Latin: to distribute, frequentative of prōmere to bring out, equivalent to prō-pro-1 + (e)mere to take, buy; (adj.) late Middle English < Latinpromptus ready, prompt, special use of past participle of prōmere
to remind (an actor, singer, etc) of lines forgotten during a performance
6.
(tr) to refresh the memory of
7.
(tr) to give rise to by suggestion: his affairs will prompt discussion
—n
8.
commerce
a. the time limit allowed for payment of the debt incurred by purchasing goods or services on credit
b. the contract specifying this time limit
c. Also called: prompt note a memorandum sent to a purchaser to remind him of the time limit and the sum due
9.
the act of prompting
10.
anything that serves to remind
11.
an aid to the operator of a computer in the form of a question or statement that appears on the screen showing that the equipment is ready to proceed and indicating the options available
[C15: from Latin promptus evident, from prōmere to produce, from pro-1 + emere to buy]
'promptly
—adv
'promptness
—n
prompt (prɒmpt)
—adj
1.
performed or executed without delay
2.
quick or ready to act or respond
—adv
3.
informal punctually
—vb
4.
(tr) to urge (someone to do something)
5.
to remind (an actor, singer, etc) of lines forgotten during a performance
6.
(tr) to refresh the memory of
7.
(tr) to give rise to by suggestion: his affairs will prompt discussion
—n
8.
commerce
a. the time limit allowed for payment of the debt incurred by purchasing goods or services on credit
b. the contract specifying this time limit
c. Also called: prompt note a memorandum sent to a purchaser to remind him of the time limit and the sum due
9.
the act of prompting
10.
anything that serves to remind
11.
an aid to the operator of a computer in the form of a question or statement that appears on the screen showing that the equipment is ready to proceed and indicating the options available
[C15: from Latin promptus evident, from prōmere to produce, from pro-1 + emere to buy]
mid-14c., from O.Fr. prompt (early 13c.), from L. promptus "brought forth, at hand, ready, quick," prop. pp. of promere "to bring forth," from pro- "forward" + emere "to take" (see exempt). Theatrical sense of "to assist a speaker with lines" is first recorded early 15c.