prompt English · revision 15389

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=la emō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pɹɒm(p)t/ ''(UK)''; /pɹɑm(p)t/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|prompten|t=to urge, incite]], perhaps from [[la-med|*promptō]],^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) and the adjective is [[bor|fro|prompt]] or directly [[la|prōmptus|t=visible, at hand, ready, quick]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) the past participle of [[m|la|prōmō|t=to bring forth]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|prō|t=forward]] and [[m|la|emō|t=to take]] (see [[redeem]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) It is a doublet of [[pronto]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The verb, to urge or incite to action: about 1340 in Barnhart, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The adjective, ready or eager, is from about 1415 in Barnhart, 1432–50 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To remind a speaker or learner of forgotten words is from 1428,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and specifically to give an actor his lines by the 1670s;^(Etymonline) prompter in this sense is first in Shakespeare's ''Othello'' (1602).^(Barnhart 1988) To inspire or give rise to a thought or action is from 1602.^(Barnhart 1988) The noun, readiness, is from the early 15th century, a hint or suggestion from the 1590s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) a time limit for payment in commerce from 1755,^(OED 1989) and in computing a message inviting the user to respond by 1977.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – to incite.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1415 – prompt, ready (adjective).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1428 – to remind a speaker.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1602 – to inspire; prompter in the theatre.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1977 – a computer prompt.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Done without delay; quick to act.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # On time; [[punctual]].^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To cause or encourage someone to do something; to [[incite]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To give rise to: ''the news prompted fears''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To remind an actor or speaker of forgotten words; to [[cue]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A cue or reminder.^(AHD)

+ # ''(computing)'' A symbol or message showing that the computer is ready for input.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[prompter]]

+ * [[promptly]]

+ * [[promptness]]

+ * [[overprompt]]

+ * [[promptbook]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pronto]]

+ * [[redeem]]

+ * [[example]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Lancashire dialect to prompt meant to dress up or adorn.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}