prompt

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
prompt/prɒmpt/

▶verb

• 1 cause or bring about.

  ■ (prompt someone to/to do something) cause someone to take a course of action.

• 2 assist or encourage (a hesitating speaker).

  ■ supply a forgotten word or line to (an actor).

▶noun

• 1 an act of prompting a hesitating speaker.

  ■ a word or phrase used in prompting an actor.

  ■ a prompter.

• 2 Computing a word or symbol on a VDU screen to show that input is required.

• 3 the time limit for the payment of an account, stated on a prompt note.

▶adjective done or acting without delay.

■ arriving precisely at a prearranged time.

■ (of goods) for immediate delivery and payment.

▶adverb Brit. exactly (with reference to a specified time).

– derivatives
prompting noun,
promptitude noun,
promptly adverb,
promptness noun.

– origin ME (as v.): based on OFr. prompt or L. promptus ‘brought to light’, also ‘prepared, ready’, past part. of promere ‘to produce’, from pro- ‘out, forth’ + emere ‘take’.