prompt

Noun · Verb · Adjective

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken)“the audience could hear his prompting”Synonyms: prompting
  2. (computer science) a symbol that appears on the computer screen to indicate that the computer is ready to receive a commandSynonyms: command prompt

Verb (3)

  1. give an incentive for action“This moved me to sacrifice my career”Synonyms: motivateactuatepropelmoveincite
  2. serve as the inciting cause of“She prompted me to call my relatives”Synonyms: inspireinstigate
  3. assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learnedSynonyms: remindcue

Adjective (3)

  1. according to schedule or without delay; on time“the train is prompt”
  2. ready and willing or quick to act“she is always prompt to help her friends";”
  3. performed with little or no delay“an immediate reply to my letter”“a prompt reply”“was quick to respond”“a straightaway denial”Synonyms: immediatequickstraightaway
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Prompt \Prompt\ (pr[o^]mt; 215), a. [Compar. Prompter; superl. Promptest.] [F. prompt, L. promptus, properly, brought forth (to light or view), hence, visible, evident, at hand, ready, quick, -- p. p. of promere to take or bring forth; pro forth + emere to take. See Redeem. ] [1913 Webster]

1.Ready and quick to act as occasion demands; meeting requirements readily; not slow, dilatory, or hesitating in decision or action; responding on the instant; immediate; as, prompt in obedience or compliance; -- said of persons. [1913 Webster]

Very discerning and prompt in giving orders.— Clarendon.[1913 Webster]
Tell him I am prompt To lay my crown at's feet.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
And you, perhaps, too prompt in your replies.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.Done or rendered quickly, readily, or immediately; given without delay or hesitation; -- said of conduct; as, prompt assistance. [1913 Webster]

When Washington heard the voice of his country in distress, his obedience was prompt.— Ames.[1913 Webster]

3.Easy; unobstructed. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The reception of the light into the body of the building was very prompt.— Sir H. Wotton.[1913 Webster]

Syn: Ready; expeditious; quick; agile; alert; brisk; nimble.

Usage: Prompt, Ready, Expeditious. One who is ready is prepared to act at the moment. One who is prompt acts at the moment. One who is expeditious carries through an undertaking with constant promptness. [1913 Webster]


Prompt \Prompt\, n. (Com.) A limit of time given for payment of an account for produce purchased, this limit varying with different goods. See Prompt-note. [1913 Webster]

To cover any probable difference of price which might arise before the expiration of the prompt, which for this article [tea] is three months. --J. S. Mill. [1913 Webster]


Prompt \Prompt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prompted; p. pr. & vb. n. Prompting.] [1913 Webster]

1.To assist or induce the action of; to move to action; to instigate; to incite. [1913 Webster]

God first . . . prompted on the infirmities of the infant world by temporal prosperity.— Jer. Taylor.[1913 Webster]

2.To suggest; to dictate. [1913 Webster]

And whispering angles prompt her golden dreams.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

3.To remind, as an actor or an orator, of words or topics forgotten. [1913 Webster]

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