Etymologically
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prompt

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /pɹɒm(p)t/ (UK); /pɹɑm(p)t/ (US)[1]

Etymology

The verb is inherited from Middle English prompten (“to urge, incite”), perhaps from Medieval Latin *promptō,[2][3] and the adjective is borrowed from Old French prompt or directly Latin prōmptus (“visible, at hand, ready, quick”),[4][5][2] the past participle of prōmō (“to bring forth”),[4][5] from prō (“forward”) and emō (“to take”) (see redeem).[4][5][2] It is a doublet of pronto.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The verb, to urge or incite to action: about 1340 in Barnhart, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.[4][5] The adjective, ready or eager, is from about 1415 in Barnhart, 1432–50 in the OED.[4][6]

Semantic evolution

To remind a speaker or learner of forgotten words is from 1428,[4][5] and specifically to give an actor his lines by the 1670s;[5] prompter in this sense is first in Shakespeare's Othello (1602).[4] To inspire or give rise to a thought or action is from 1602.[4] The noun, readiness, is from the early 15th century, a hint or suggestion from the 1590s,[5][6] a time limit for payment in commerce from 1755,[6] and in computing a message inviting the user to respond by 1977.[5][6]

Timeline

  • c. 1340 – to incite.[4]
  • c. 1415 – prompt, ready (adjective).[4]
  • 1428 – to remind a speaker.[4]
  • 1602 – to inspire; prompter in the theatre.[4]
  • 1977 – a computer prompt.[5][6]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Done without delay; quick to act.
  2. On time; punctual.

Verb

  1. To cause or encourage someone to do something; to incite.
  2. To give rise to: the news prompted fears.
  3. To remind an actor or speaker of forgotten words; to cue.

Noun

  1. A cue or reminder.
  2. (computing) A symbol or message showing that the computer is ready for input.

Word family

  • prompter
  • promptly
  • promptness
  • overprompt
  • promptbook

Usage notes

In Lancashire dialect to prompt meant to dress up or adorn.[7]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)