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   Prompt

   /präm(p)t/

   

   verb

   • 1. (of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling): "his death has prompted an industry-wide investigation of safety violations" Similar give rise tobring aboutcauseoccasionresult inlead toelicitproducebring onengenderinducecall forthevokeprecipitatetriggerspark offprovokeinstigateOpposite deterrestrain
   • ▪ cause (someone) to take a course of action: "a demonstration by 20,000 people prompted the government to step up security" Similar inducemakemovecausemotivateleaddisposepersuadeinclineencouragestimulateprodimpelspur onurgeinspireprovokeinciteOpposite discourage
   • 2. assist or encourage (a hesitating speaker) to say something: "“And the picture?” he prompted" Similar remindcuegive someone a cuehelp outcoachfeedjog someone's memoryrefresh someone's memory
   • ▪ supply a forgotten word or line to (an actor) during the performance of a play.
   • ▪ (of a computer) request input from (a user): "the online form prompts users for data"

   noun

   • 1. an act of assisting or encouraging a hesitating speaker: "with barely a prompt, Barbara talked on"
   • ▪ a word or phrase spoken as a reminder to an actor of a forgotten word or line.
   • ▪ another term for prompter
   • ▪ a message or symbol on a screen to show that the system is waiting for input.
   • 2. the time limit for the payment of an account, as stated on a prompt note.

   adjective

   • 1. done without delay; immediate: "the owner would have died but for the prompt action of two paramedics"
   • ▪ (of a person) acting without delay: "the fans were prompt and courteous in complying with police requests"
   • ▪ (of goods) for immediate delivery and payment.

   Word Origin Middle English (as a verb): based on Old French prompt or Latin promptus ‘brought to light’, also ‘prepared, ready’, past participle of promere ‘to produce’, from pro- ‘out, forth’ + emere ‘take’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. promptness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • O

     1

   • M

     3

   • P

     3

   • T

     1

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