prompt
UK[prɒmpt]US[prɑːmpt]
v
To cause or urge someone to do something or to act.
v
To help a speaker who has paused, especially an actor, by saying the next words.
adj
Done or acting without delay; immediate.
n
A word or phrase said to an actor to remind them to say their next line.
n
A symbol or message on a computer screen requesting input from the user.
Etymology
The word 'prompt' entered English in the late 14th century via Old French 'prompt', which itself derived from the Latin adjective 'promptus', meaning 'brought forth, ready, quick, visible'. This Latin form is the past participle of 'promere', meaning 'to bring forth, take out'. 'Promere' is a compound verb from 'pro-' (forward) and 'emere' (to take, buy). The core semantic journey is from the literal sense of 'taking something forward' to the figurative ideas of readiness and immediacy. Over time, the meaning specialized into its current senses of urging to action, assisting a speaker, and computer system requests, all retaining the underlying concept of something being made ready or brought forth without delay.
Analysis
The word 'prompt' is a simplex loanword from Latin. It does not contain separable, productive morphemes in modern English spelling that can be recombined to form other common words.
Examples
The financial crisis prompted a major review of banking regulations.
The director had to prompt the actor, who had forgotten his lines.
Please respond to the command prompt to continue the installation.