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   prompt

   /prɒm(p)t/

   verb

   • 1. (of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling): "the violence prompted a wave of refugees to flee the country" Similar give rise tobring aboutcauseoccasionresult inlead toelicitproducebring onengenderinducecall forthevokeprecipitatetriggerspark offprovokeinstigateOpposite deterrestrain
   • ▪ cause someone to take a course of action: "curiosity prompted him to look inside" Similar inducemakemovecausemotivateleaddisposepersuadeinclineencouragestimulateprodimpelspur onurgeinspireprovokeinciteOpposite discourage
   • 2. 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 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 word or symbol on a 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.

   adjective

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

   adverb

   • 1. exactly (with reference to a specified time): British "I set off at three-thirty prompt"

   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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