̈ɪprɔmpt adj., adv.,
v., & n. --adj. 1 a
acting with alacrity;
ready. b
made,
done, etc.
readily or at
once (a prompt reply). 2 a (of a payment) made
forthwith. b (of goods)
for immediate delivery and payment. --adv. punctually (at
six o'clock prompt). --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by
to, or to + infin.)
incite;
urge (prompted
them to action). 2 a (also absol.) supply a
forgotten word,
sentence,
etc., to (an
actor, reciter, etc.). b
assist (a hesitating speaker) with a
suggestion. 3
give rise to;
inspire (a
feeling, thought,
action, etc.). --n. 1 a an
act of prompting. b a
thing said to
help the memory of an actor etc. c =
PROMPTER 2. d Computing an
indication or
sign on a
VDU screen to
show that the
system is
waiting for
input. 2 the
time limit for the payment of an
account, stated on a prompt
note. øprompt-book a
copy of a
play for a prompter's
use. prompt-box a box in
front of the
footlights beneath the
stage where the prompter sits. prompt-note a note
sent to a
customer as a
reminder of payment
due. prompt
side the side of the stage where the prompter sits, usu. to the actor's left. øøprompting n. promptitude n. promptly adv. promptness n. [ME f. OF prompt or L promptus
past part. of promere promptproduce (as
PRO-(1), emere take)]