prompter
UK[ˈprɒmptə(r)]US[ˈprɑːmptər]
n
A person who reminds an actor or performer of forgotten words, usually from the side of the stage.
n
A device or software that displays text for a speaker or performer to read.
Morpheme Breakdown
prompt
er
prompt
urge
er
agent suffix
Etymology
The word 'prompter' is built upon the verb 'prompt', which entered English in the 14th century from Latin promptus, the past participle of promere meaning 'to bring forth'. This Latin verb itself is a compound of pro- (forward) and emere (to take). Thus, the core sense evolved from 'brought forth' to 'ready, quick' and then to the act of inciting someone to action. By adding the agent suffix '-er', common in English for denoting one who performs a task, 'prompter' literally means 'one who makes ready or incites'. This perfectly describes the theatrical role of a person who supplies forgotten words to an actor, thereby urging the performance forward. In modern computing, the term retains this core logic, as a software prompt or prompter provides ready information to guide the user's next action.
Analysis
Structure: prompt (urge) + er (agent suffix)
- prompt: From Latin promptus (brought forth, ready, at hand). Functions as the core verb/adjective root meaning to incite to action or to be ready.
- er: From Old English -ere, a Germanic agent noun suffix. Functions to denote a person or thing that performs the action of the verb.
Examples
The actor glanced at the prompter in the wings before delivering his next line.
She used a teleprompter to read her speech smoothly during the broadcast.
The teacher acted as a prompter, whispering clues to the struggling student during the play.