† promptn.¹

Forms: late Middle English prompte.

Origin: A borrowing from Latin; modelled on a Latin lexical item. Etymon: Latin promptus.

Etymology: < classical Latin promptus action of making available or accessible < prompt- , past participial stem of prōmere (see prompt adj.) + -tus , suffix forming verbal nouns. In in prompt after classical Latin in promptū within easy reach.

Obsolete. rare.

Readiness, preparedness. Only in in prompt: in readiness, at one's disposal.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [noun] > state of being prepared or ready

graithc1330

readinessc1350

in promptc1425

areadinessa1500

alreadiness1534

apointc1540

furniture1560

expedition1579

prestness1582

preparedness1590

trim1628

addressedness1633

concert pitch1742

engrenage1918

c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 34 (MED) He hadde yt in prompte what sumeuer he wolde vttir to speke yt metyrly.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online December 2020).

promptn.²

Brit.

/prɒm(p)t/, U.S.

/prɑm(p)t/

Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: prompt v.

Etymology: < prompt v.

†1. An act of instigation or incitement. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > an act of

prompt1597

bribe1824

1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 27 Common dronckards and carnall lyvers..esteme themeselves as honest and as truly religiouse as the best, and bothe by a subtill prompt of the divill.

1832 Quid, or, Tales of my Messmates 26 Doleful..was urged on by a prompt from Twig to give something really true, which Doleful obeying, thus began the Mysterious Death of the Cook.

a. Something said or done to aid the memory; a reminder; spec. a word or phrase spoken to remind an actor, reciter, etc., of a forgotten word or line (cf. prompt v. 1). Later also more generally: anything which when seen, heard, etc., acts as a stimulus or guide to some action; a cue.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > improvement of memory, mnemonics > [noun] > memory aid

prompt1707

technical verse1728

mnemonic1842

mnemonicon1858

knot-writing1896

memory drug1965

mnemotechnic1991

1707 C. Cibber Comical Lovers v. 69 I'll lay her on to the best of my assurance then: But you won't forget, I hope, to give me a Prompt upon occasion.

1881 M. A. Lewis Two Pretty Girls III. 12 She..was glad to accept a prompt from her neighbour.

1914 ‘I. Hay’ Lighter Side School Life v. 141 The acceptance of a whispered ‘prompt’ from a good Samaritan when badly cornered by a question.

1961 Psychol. Bull. 58 368/1 Continuous use of context cues as ancillary prompts should be avoided, since such prompts can interfere with learning.

1992 Houston Chron. (Nexis) 12 Jan. c1 The microphone picked up her stage-whisper prompt: ‘We're doing everything we can.’ And then Ronnie said, oh so sincerely, ‘We're doing everything we can.’

2004 Wall St. Jrnl. 26 July (Central ed.) b2/1 Automatic external defibrillators..have visual or oral prompts that tell the user how to place electrode pads on the victim's chest.

b. Theatre (chiefly British). = prompter n. 2a.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > the staging of a theatrical production > people concerned with theatrical productions > [noun] > prompter

book-bearer1530

book holder1585

prompter1585

ordinary1602

under-prompter1781

prompt1969

1969 M. Steinbeck On Stage 68 Some producers like a prompt either side but it is usual for the prompt to sit on the left side (actor's left) and this becomes known as the prompt side.

1989 M. Aspel Michael Aspel: In Good Company (BNC) 23 Miss Yvonne Smith made a very good prompt.

2000 G. Davies Create your own Stage Production Company 45/1 The good prompt..will be aware of problems immediately and will give the line before the audience has noticed that there is a gap.

c. Computing. A word, symbol, or message automatically displayed on a screen to indicate that input is required from the user.

ΘΚΠ

society > computing and information technology > software > [noun] > operating environment > messages requiring user response

prompt1977

dialogue1984

dialogue box1984

1977 Computer-Aided Design 9 151 Displaying and responding to prompts from the computer.

1985 Which Computer? Apr. 51/2 Prompts and help messages reduce the possibility of making an error in the first place.

1992 Broadcasting 27 Jan. 35/2 An on-screen prompt encourages viewers to enter the names of household members viewing a given program.

2000 Daily Tel. 16 Mar. (Connected section) 14/2 Exit Windows to DOS mode..and change to drive letter A by typing A: at the C:> (or C:\\\\WINDOWS>) prompt.

3. Business.

a. A time limit for payment of an account for goods purchased; a date when payment becomes due. Also: goods sold under an agreement as to a time limit for payment. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > payment > [noun] > hastening or delaying payment > due date for payment

prompt1755

1755 N. Magens Ess. Insurances I. 348 This 1 per Cent., which was left out on account of the different Prompts for Payment, must either be deducted on none or both the Accounts.

1785 Daily Universal Reg. 18 May 4/2 (advt.) The Stock in Trade of Mr. Thomas Braddock... To be viewed This Day, and till the Sale... Two Months Prompt.

1826 Times 8 July 3/1 It is directed..that the duties arising from each of the Company's quarterly sales should be paid 42 days after their respective prompts.

1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. II. 64 The speculation went on at advancing prices..till nearly the expiration of the prompt.

1881 Times 18 Oct. 7/2 The pressure to sell ‘short prompts’ kept the market from improving during the greater part of the week.

1890 Pall Mall Gaz. 24 Nov. 7/3 In goods like tea, where the prompt, or time allowed before the goods are taken up, is long, a deposit of something like one-third of the value has to be made at the time of purchase... In most..leading goods the prompt is short.

1908 N.E.D. (at cited word) If you offered me corn at so much, I might reply ‘At what prompt?’ or ‘What is the prompt?’

1927 Daily Tel. 23 Aug. 2/6 Standard tin gave way this morning, weakness being pronounced for cash and early prompts owing to increase in warehouse stocks in London and Liverpool.

1930 Times 2 Apr. 24/5 On the standard market there was further relaxation of tension in the near position, and with early prompts offered more freely, cash closed 16s. 3d. lower.

†b. A written agreement to sell or purchase goods (see quot. 1882). Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1791 R. Peckham Consid. Advantages Free Ports 9 The use of equivalent documents in the East-India-company's prompts..may be adduced in point.

1840 Times 11 Apr. 6/2 A heavy prompt on tea came due to-day, but it passed over without any great pressure.

1882 R. Bithell Counting-house Dict. 245 Prompt... In commerce, the setting forth in a written document the record of a bargain or sale, in such a form as to render it negotiable... A prompt is an agreement between a shipper or importer on the one hand, and a merchant on the other; in which the former engages to sell certain specified goods at a given price, and the latter to take them up and pay for them at a specified date... It implies..that the goods shall be ‘promptly’ paid for on delivery, if delivered before the specified date, and at the specified date, whether they are delivered or not.

Compounds

C1. Chiefly Theatre.

† prompt bell n. Obsolete = prompter's bell n. at prompter n. Compounds.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > prompting equipment

prompter's bell1779

prompt bell1784

prompter's table1834

prompt table1844

1784 New Spectator No. 6. 7 Then recommences the music of the iritated Gods..after that comes the tinkling of the prompt bell.

prompt box n. = prompter's box n. at prompter n. Compounds.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > prompter's box

prompter's box1775

prompt box1859

1859 G. A. Sala Twice round Clock 246 I happened to be almost born in a prompt-box and weaned in a scene-painter's size-kettle.

1891 Pall Mall Gaz. 30 Sept. 3/1 The prompt-box was placed in the centre of the stage; but, owing to there being no floor below the stage, our prompter..had to raise a trap-door in the stage, and to crawl along, on hands and knees.

1986 C. H. Kullman & W. C. Young Theatre Companies of World I. 491 The company..performed against painted backdrops depicting both exteriors and interiors, standing in an arc in front of the prompt box.

† prompt-centre n. Obsolete the position on a stage halfway between the centre and the prompt side.

ΚΠ

1888 Scribner's Mag. Oct. 436/2 Half-way between the prompt-side and the point which marks half the width of the stage is the prompt-centre.

prompt copy n. = prompt book n.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > written or printed text > [noun] > prompter's copy

prompter's book1725

prompter's copy1746

prompt book1768

prompt copy1792

prompt script1920

1792 H. Fielding Miser (title page) Corrected from the Prompt Copy by James Wild.

1884 J. O. Halliwell in Athenæum 25 Oct. 529/2 An old prompt copy may have wandered out of England.

1940 B. Hewitt Art & Craft Play Prod. xiv. 334 The whole of this plan may well be put together in a looseleaf notebook to serve as the director's script or prompt copy of the play.

1994 Times Lit. Suppl. 21 Jan. 15/3 The prompt copy of the early play became valueless to the King's Men but vendible to a bookseller.

prompt corner n. chiefly British the prompter's corner offstage.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > sides

side-scene1675

side wing1698

slips1771

prompt sidec1782

wing1790

side-slip1808

coulisse1819

prompt corner1872

tormentor1886

P1901

1872 Chambers's Encycl. IX. 390/1 An interesting point on the stage is the prompt corner, from which the prompter has command of all the lights of the house, and bells to warn every man of his duty.

1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage i. 17 A good stage-manager is never far from the prompt corner.

1990 R. Critchfield Among British v. 310 My duties were to sit in the prompt-corner with the book, to understudy, to fetch sandwiches from Brown's Café,..and to help with props.

prompt entrance n. chiefly British the route on to the stage from the prompt corner.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > entrance to stage

stage-door1761

prompt entrance1879

portal1947

1879 Times 13 Aug. 12/2 On the 31st of July witness was in the prompt entrance and was called to the stage door about 10 p.m.

1913 Kansas City (Missouri) Star 4 July 9/6 He spent every afternoon in the prompt entrance while the famous dancers were on, studying..the methods of the couple.

1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 143 Prompt entrance, that way on to the stage from the prompt corner which is for the use of the stage management.

prompt note n. Business (now rare) a note given to a customer recording the date when a payment is due.

ΚΠ

1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products 303/2 Prompt-note, a note of reminder of the day of payment and sum due, etc., given to a purchaser at a sale of produce.

1969 Amer. Heritage Dict. 1047/1 Prompt,..2. a. A prompt note. b. The time limit stipulated in a prompt note.

prompt script n. = prompt book n.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > written or printed text > [noun] > prompter's copy

prompter's book1725

prompter's copy1746

prompt book1768

prompt copy1792

prompt script1920

1920 P. G. Wodehouse Little Warrior xiv. 261 The assistant stage-director bent sedulously over the footlights..shading his eyes with the prompt script.

1997 B. Brewster & L. Jacobs Theatre to Cinema viii. 157 The Tams-Witmark prompt script [of Lucia di Lammermoor]..shows a setting consisting of foliage wings and borders, steps to a terrace [etc.].

prompt side n. chiefly British the side of the stage where the prompter sits, usually at stage left; cf. P.S. n. at P n. Initialisms.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > sides

side-scene1675

side wing1698

slips1771

prompt sidec1782

wing1790

side-slip1808

coulisse1819

prompt corner1872

tormentor1886

P1901

c1782 in Theatre Jrnl. (1994) 46 308 At the prompt side, first Wing—is a Close Door; at the Second wing, a window that opens.

1848 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby (new ed.) xxiii. 172/2 Nicholas found himself close to the first entrance on the prompt side.

1943 Music & Lett. 24 4 The tables have been moved from the prompt side to the O.P. side.

1990 Amateur Stage Aug. 10 (inset) Apart from the stairs at the front the only stage access is via a door on the prompt side upstage.

prompt table n. chiefly U.S. = prompter's table n. at prompter n. Compounds.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > prompting equipment

prompter's bell1779

prompt bell1784

prompter's table1834

prompt table1844

1844 J. Cowell Thirty Years among Players ii. ii. 59/2 Every book or manuscript they have an opportunity to place upon a prompt-table.

1895 Davenport (Iowa) Daily Republican 3 Dec. 3/5 In those days when the American queen of tragedy rehearsed Juliet she sat on the prompt table swinging her legs and chewing gum like a school girl.

1967 Listener 21 Sept. 369/2 He caught sight of Trebel..lurking by the prompt table.

1997 Communication World (Nexis) 15 31 In the U.S., the prompt desk or prompt table usually is on the left side of the stage. In the U.K., it's usually on the right side.

prompt-word n. a word spoken by a prompter in a theatre, etc.; (more generally) a word used as a prompt.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > a play > [noun] > word spoken by prompter

prompt-word1826

1826 S. W. Singer Dramatic Wks. Shakspeare X. 234 (note) The hint or prompt word..is the word or sign given by the prompter for a player to enter on his part.

1918 A. Quiller-Couch Foe-Farrell 176 I knew..that I must break his fate to him. I even gave him the prompt-word. ‘Homelike’, I suggested.

1967 Jrnl. Verbal Learning & Verbal Behav. 6 204/2 For prompt-words, this group received all the final nouns from all test sentences.

2004 Times Educ. Suppl. (Nexis) 16 July 17 Do we really want our students to be memorising prompt-words and assessment weightings rather than discussing the intellectual challenge that they have found in a literary text?

C2. Business. In compounds denoting the day or date on which payment for goods purchased is due (cf. prompt adj. 4). Esp. in prompt day, prompt date.

ΚΠ

1795 Times 26 Oct. 2/3 The Tea Sale..[will be] on December 2. The Prompt Day to be Feb. 26.

1830 Times 3 Feb. 2/5 The obligation..of paying up the duties on their purchases when the Company's prompt day arrives, about three months after the sale, although the teas may not be required for months.

1908 N.E.D. at Prompt sb. Short for prompt date, day, time.

1917 Manitoba Free Press 18 Jan. 10/7 (advt.) Funsten Bros. & Co..will offer for sale by auction..the following goods... Prompt day February 20th.

1934 Q. Jrnl. Econ. 48 298 A ‘Prompt Day’ is established a few days after the close of the market at which time payment must be made and merchandise removed by the purchaser.

1997 R. Dand Internat. Cocoa Trade v. 117 The prompt date is the day by which the buyer must pay for the parcel and therefore take delivery.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

promptadj.adv.

Brit.

/prɒm(p)t/, U.S.

/prɑm(p)t/

Forms: late Middle English–1500s prompte, late Middle English– prompt, 1500s prompe; Scottish pre-1700 promp, pre-1700 prompe, pre-1700 prompte, pre-1700 1700s– prompt.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French prompt; Latin promptus.

Etymology: < Middle French prompt (French prompt ) inclined, disposed (to) (12th cent. in Old French), eloquent, skilful in speech (beginning of the 15th cent.; compare avoir langage prompt to be always ready to speak (a1472)), swift to act (early 15th cent.; subsequently also easily angered (1616)), which occurs rapidly (early 15th cent.), who understands quickly (1580) and its etymon classical Latin promptus brought to light, manifest, at hand, ready, quick, acting with alacrity, prepared, disposed, inclined, use as adjective of past participle of prōmere to bring forth or out, to produce, to bring to light < prō- pro- prefix¹ + emere to take, to buy (see emption n.). Compare Catalan prompte (14th cent.), Spanish pronto (14th cent.), Portuguese pronto (15th cent.), Italian pronto (a1293). Compare prompt v., and also prompting n., which apparently implies earlier currency for both the verb and the adjective (compare also the composition date of the source cited in quot. a1500 at prompt v. 2a).

A. adj.

†1. Apparently: easy (to endure). Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 83 (MED) Som [ulcers] ar prompte or redy for to suffre whatsomeuer bi cause of sone helyng. [L. Quidam vero quodcumque sustinere prompti sunt gracia cite sanacionis.]

a. Ready in action; quick to act when occasion arises; acting with alacrity, or without undue delay; ready and willing; quick to do something. Also: punctual. (In quot. 1525 figurative.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > prompt to act

radeOE

yevereOE

snellOE

ratheOE

spacka1200

quickc1300

eagerc1325

readyc1330

tallc1374

smartc1380

desirousc1386

rifec1390

promptc1425

speedy?1504

nimblea1547

present1548

go-ahead1825

the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] > ready or prompt

radeOE

rekenOE

ratheOE

freshc1175

gradelyc1275

quickc1300

freea1393

readya1425

promptc1425

forward1523

forwards1598

cheerful1600

alacritous1821

up to ——1849

c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 25 From that tyme they began to be more prompte to yeue ther almes, And also feruent in deuocioun.

c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 31 (MED) For as moche as the bygynnyngis of grete thyngis nedith gretter helpe thanne most, [he] was prompte.

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1874) V. 61 (MED) Carausius..prompte [L. promptus] in cownsel, obteynede of the senate that he myȝhte kepe the costes of the see of Briteyn.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. cxvi. f. liii^v She that was prompte & redy to all euyll, cast in her mynde that this Chylde was slayne by Poyson.

1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. cxxxiii. [cxxix.] 373 Thus they went saylyng by the see fresshly..the see was so prompe and so agreeable to them.

c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) Prol. 9 Thai ar mair prompt to repreif ane smal ignorant falt nor to commende ane grit verteous act.

1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde ii. ii. f. 58 A man of prompt wytte.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 75 Tell him, I am prompt To lay my Crowne at's feete, and there to kneele.

1653 R. Saunders Physiognomie ii. 157 They will be prompt, and fit for posting.

1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 335 Three pert Templars came..Each prompt to query, answer, and debate.

1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 239 They..wanting him to loose the sacred seal, Found him as prompt as their desire was true, To spread the new-born glories in their view.

1808 W. Scott Marmion vi. xvi. 341 A matchless horse, though something old, Prompt to his paces, cool and bold.

1851 T. Carlyle Life J. Sterling i. i. 9 The promptest and least hesitating of men.

1870 J. H. Burton Hist. Scotl. to 1688 VII. lxxii. 93 The friend who had ever been prompt in time of peril.

1883 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Sunday Gaz. 8 Apr. 4/3 Please be prompt at the morning service to insure a good seat.

1901 R. Kipling Kim i. 32 Being as prompt as he was unscrupulous, Mahbub Ali..pressed him into service on the spot.

1937 E. W. McAdoo & M. Y. Gaffey Woodrow Wilsons ii. 37 We were prompt for meals; punctuality was a household tenet, strictly enforced.

1985 G. Naylor Linden Hills 122 Thank you for being so prompt in your reply.

2004 B. Blech Eyewitness Jewish Hist. xv. 143 The Jews had heard how the kings of the French were prompt to act against their enemies.

†b. Ready in mind; inclined, disposed. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective]

freeeOE

well-willingOE

readyc1175

fainc1275

buxoma1300

prestc1300

liefc1325

rifec1390

willyc1390

baina1400

willinga1400

listyc1440

towardc1440

appliable1449

pronea1450

wilfulc1460

prompt?a1475

content1477

towardly1513

contenteda1525

towards1525

fond1529

comingc1576

unrefusinga1586

open-armed1594

voluntary1598

gainsome1629

easy1653

unreluctant1654

nothing loath1667

applicable1702

irreluctanta1706

unhesitating1753

unloath1861

prone-minded1869

?a1475 (?a1425) in tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1882) VIII. App. 470 (MED) The Scottes..sende to the kynge..with whom thei be prompte ageyne the realme of Ynglonde.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. v. 89 I cannot sing..Nor play at subtill games, faire vertues all: To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant.

†c. Hasty, forward, abrupt, blunt. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adjective] > curt or brusque

short1390

cutted1530

snappish1542

abrupt1578

stunt1581

blunt1590

brusquea1639

snapping1642

blatec1650

brisk1665

bluff1705

offhand1708

prerupt1727

squab1737

prompt1768

crisp1814

brief1818

stuntya1825

curt1831

snappy1834

bluffy1844

nebby1873

offhandish1886

nebsy1894

1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 92 A prompt French Marquis at our ambassador's table demanded of Mr. H——, if he was H—— the poet? No, said H—— mildly—Tant pis, replied the Marquis.

a. Of action, speech, thought, etc.: ready, quick; done, performed, etc., without delay; immediate.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > characterized by promptness of action

readya1393

prompt1483

speediful1647

fast1863

society > trade and finance > payment > [adjective] > prompt

readya1400

prompt1766

plump1865

1483 tr. Adam of Eynsham Reuelation v Thoes wordys the whiche he made in his supplicacions ware so redy & prompte and also repletyd with grete reson & hyenesse of witte that hit semyd rathir he redde hem thanne seyde hem.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. OOOiiii Contemplacion is a free and a prompt or redy syght of the eye of the mynde.

1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus (title) Apophthegmes, that is to saie, prompte, quicke, wittie and sentencious saiynges, of certain Emperours, Kynges,..Philosophiers and Oratours.

1624 H. Wotton Elements Archit. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 260 The reception of Light into the Body of the building, was very prompt.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 149 Such prompt eloquence Flowd from thir lips, in Prose or numerous Verse.

1678 J. Vernon Compl. Compting-house 155 There is generally an abatement of 10 per Cent. for prompt payment.

1713 C. Cibber tr. P. Corneille in Cinna's Conspiracy v. ii. 49 Our Flame..Was not the prompt Effect of your Commands. Four Years have we conceal'd our tender Passion.

1766 W. Gordon Gen. Counting-house 371 His creditor..demands prompt payment in cash..in ready money.

1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson I. Advt. p. ix The stretch of mind and prompt assiduity.

1834 T. B. Macaulay William Pitt in Ess. (1887) 322 Those qualities which enable men to form prompt and judicious decisions.

1877 W. S. Gilbert Sorcerer i We deduct 10 per cent for prompt cash.

1932 G. Humphrey & M. Humphrey tr. J. M. G. Itard Wild Boy of Aveyron 30 This child..will have owed the prompt recovery of his wound to the help of nature alone.

1957 B. Spock Common Sense Bk. Baby & Child Care (new ed.) 65 You'll have a good idea of which symptoms or questions require prompt contact with the doctor and which can wait till tomorrow or the next visit.

1981 Antiquaries Jrnl. 61 i. 149 It is good to see such prompt publication of a medieval excavation in France.

2000 A. Thorpe Shifts (2001) 100 The camp overseer was bitten by a green mamba and was only saved by prompt action from his boss.

†b. Suddenly emergent; demanding instant action. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 157 I neuer saw a combat or causeless brabble, though they be very apt in prompt occasions, to demonstrate valour and resolution.

4. Business. Of goods: available for immediate delivery. Also: relating to or designating the market in such goods.In quot. a1881: due to be delivered or collected (and paid for). Cf. prompt n.² Compounds 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > other trading methods > [adjective] > immediate

prompt1861

1861 Times 22 Oct. 12/1 Holders stood out for 49s. 9d. prompt, at which the [pig-iron] market closed steady.

1879 Times 6 Sept. 7/4 Prompt iron Californian offered at 47s. per 500lb., and wood at 9d. less.

a1881 H. Nicol MS Note (O.E.D. Archive) [Expression in the London tea-trade] When are the overland teas prompt? The regular word for due in reference to the proceeds of sales of tea and other merchandise. [Dated 1879 in N.E.D. (1908).]

1883 Daily News 25 Sept. 2/7 Beetroot—Old crop, 89¹/ ₂ per cent., sold prompt at 20s. 7¹/ ₂d.

1888 Daily News 24 Dec. 2/6 The prompt figure for No. 3 [pig iron] has been 33s. 6d.; 34s. to 34s. 3d. is quoted January to March.

1907 Washington Post 31 Jan. 5/2 Deliveries of pig iron to foundries and steel works have been better..and the demand for spot and prompt iron has much lessened.

1954 Economist 29 May 729 The Government broker..has supplied prompt metal (copper) to the London market.

1989 Financial Times (Nexis) 1 July i. 15 The Russians are back in the prompt market, and..they are buying white sugar when supplies are..tight.

2004 Metals Week (Nexis) 13 Sept. 13 Market players said there was little activity for prompt metal, despite the dip on the London Metal Exchange last week.

5. Particle Physics. Of a particle: emitted within a very short time interval as the primary product of a reaction or process, as opposed to a delayed or secondary product; spec. (of neutrons and gamma rays) emitted as the direct result of nuclear fission, as distinct from radiation arising from the decay of fission products (cf. delayed neutron n. at delayed adj.² Compounds).

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > nuclear fission > [adjective] > resulting from fission

prompt1947

1947 M. Deutsch in C. Goodman Sci. & Engin. of Nucl. Power I. ii. 84 The average total kinetic energy of the two fission fragments from U²³⁶ is about 160 Mev. In addition, the prompt neutrons have kinetic energies totaling about 5 Mev.

1947 M. Deutsch in C. Goodman Sci. & Engin. of Nucl. Power I. ii. 84 The nucleus may lose energy by the emission of prompt gamma rays.

1973 Physical Rev. C. 7 1180/1 In Table 1 the energy emitted per fission event in the form of prompt-γ radiation and the number of γ rays per fission are given.

1974 S. E. Hunt Fission, Fusion & Energy Crisis vi. 53 Reactors are operated so that if they relied on the neutrons emitted instantaneously on fission, on so-called ‘prompt’ neutrons, alone, the fission chain reaction would be subcritical.

1987 Nature 10 Sept. 134/1 As these two neutrino events come within the first 0.1 s it is suggestive to identify them as prompt neutronization neutrinos generated via e⁻ + p → ν_e + n during the collapse.

2006 Measurement Sci. & Technol. 17 84/1 The primarily ‘knocked-out’ electrons (prompt electrons) have a continuous energy distribution, while the electrons emitted as decay products of..states excited during the collision appear as lines in the energy spectrum.

6. Occurring at the time of, or very soon after, a nuclear explosion or an earthquake.

ΚΠ

1953 Nevada State Jrnl. 11 Aug. 15/3 It is possible to provide simple and relatively inexpensive shelter at reasonable distances against the blast and the prompt radiation effects of an atomic explosion.

1979 Sci. Amer. (U.K. ed.) July 29/1 (caption) The prompt effects of the explosion of a one-megaton nuclear warhead detonated at a height of 6,500 feet over the heart of New York.

2002 Jrnl. Geophysical Res. 107 15-1 The stress drop associated with the prompt fluid pressure rise increases with rupture propagation distance.

2003 L. E. Davis et al. Individual Preparedness & Response to Chem., Radiol., Nucl., & Biol. Terrorist Attacks i. 12 The immediate effects of this ground burst would involve blast damage, heat, and prompt radiation.

B. adv.

1. With reference to a specified time: exactly, precisely, to the minute; = sharp adv. 1c.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > punctuality > [adverb]

punctually1652

critically1655

sharp1840

on time1854

prompt1869

on the dot1875

dot1894

prepunctually1894

on or to the tick1902

1869 Edinb. Evening Courant 4 Oct. 3/3 (advt.) Stock to be penned by 9 o'clock. Start prompt at 10.

1900 Trenton (New Jersey) Times 2 June 8/6 (advt.) Stages will be provided to take the members to the ground. First stages will leave prompt at 10 A M.

1938 Folk-lore 49 186 Whenever he went to bed he always went in good time—nine o'clock prompt.

1987 A. Tutuola Pauper, Brawler & Slanderer xxii. 113 At ten o'clock prompt, Pauper's canoe left the port along with the other canoes.

2. gen. Promptly; soon. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]

soonc825

ratheeOE

rathelyeOE

rekeneOE

rekenlyOE

thereright971

anonOE

forth ona1000

coflyc1000

ferlyc1000

radlyOE

swiftlyc1000

unyoreOE

yareOE

at the forme (also first) wordOE

nowOE

shortlya1050

rightOE

here-rightlOE

right anonlOE

anonc1175

forthrightc1175

forthwithalc1175

skeetc1175

swithc1175

with and withc1175

anon-rightc1225

anon-rights?c1225

belivec1225

lightly?c1225

quickly?c1225

tidelyc1225

fastlyc1275

hastilyc1275

i-radlichec1275

as soon asc1290

aright1297

bedenea1300

in little wevea1300

withoute(n dwella1300

alrightc1300

as fast (as)c1300

at firstc1300

in placec1300

in the placec1300

mididonec1300

outrightc1300

prestc1300

streck13..

titec1300

without delayc1300

that stounds1303

rada1325

readya1325

apacec1325

albedenec1330

as (also also) titec1330

as blivec1330

as line rightc1330

as straight as linec1330

in anec1330

in presentc1330

newlyc1330

suddenlyc1330

titelyc1330

yernec1330

as soon1340

prestly1340

streckly1340

swithly?1370

evenlya1375

redelya1375

redlya1375

rifelya1375

yeplya1375

at one blastc1380

fresha1382

ripelyc1384

presentc1385

presently1385

without arrestc1385

readilyc1390

in the twinkling of a looka1393

derflya1400

forwhya1400

skeetlya1400

straighta1400

swifta1400

maintenantc1400

out of handc1400

wightc1400

at a startc1405

immediately1420

incontinent1425

there and then1428

onenec1429

forwithc1430

downright?a1439

agatec1440

at a tricec1440

right forth1440

withouten wonec1440

whipc1460

forthwith1461

undelayed1470

incessantly1472

at a momentc1475

right nowc1475

synec1475

incontinently1484

promptly1490

in the nonce?a1500

uncontinent1506

on (upon, in) the instant1509

in short1513

at a clap1519

by and by1526

straightway1526

at a twitch1528

at the first chop1528

maintenantly1528

on a tricea1529

with a tricec1530

at once1531

belively1532

straightwaysa1533

short days1533

undelayedly1534

fro hand1535

indelayedly1535

straight forth1536

betimesc1540

livelyc1540

upononc1540

suddenly1544

at one (or a) dash?1550

at (the) first dash?1550

instantly1552

forth of hand1564

upon the nines1568

on the nail1569

at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572

indilately1572

summarily1578

at one (a) chop1581

amain1587

straightwise1588

extempore1593

presto1598

upon the place1600

directly1604

instant1604

just now1606

with a siserary1607

promiscuously1609

at (in) one (an) instant1611

on (also upon) the momenta1616

at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617

hand to fist1634

fastisha1650

nextly1657

to rights1663

straightaway1663

slap1672

at first bolt1676

point-blank1679

in point1680

offhand1686

instanter1688

sonica1688

flush1701

like a thought1720

in a crack1725

momentary1725

bumbye1727

clacka1734

plumba1734

right away1734

momentarily1739

momentaneously1753

in a snap1768

right off1771

straight an end1778

abruptedly1784

in a whistle1784

slap-bang1785

bang?1795

right off the reel1798

in a whiff1800

in a flash1801

like a shot1809

momently1812

in a brace or couple of shakes1816

in a gird1825

(all) in a rush1829

in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830

straightly1830

toot sweetc1830

in two twos1838

rectly1843

quick-stick1844

short metre1848

right1849

at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854

off the hooks1860

quicksticks1860

straight off1873

bang off1886

away1887

in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890

ek dum1895

tout de suite1895

bung1899

one time1899

prompt1910

yesterday1911

in two ups1934

presto changeo1946

now-now1966

presto change1987

1910 W. M. Raine Bucky O'Connor ii. 23 The reverend gentleman..had this diverting experience so prompt after he was wishing for it.

1991 A. A. Aidoo Changes i. 3 They will do everything, my people, everything will be ready, prompt, for your journey, I promise.

Compounds

C1. Parasynthetic.

† prompt-witted adj. Obsolete

ΚΠ

1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits viii. 112 None, who is prompt-witted, can learne to read without stumbling.

C2.

prompt critical adj. Nuclear Physics (of a reactor) critical even when the effect of delayed neutrons is neglected and prompt neutrons alone are considered.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > nuclear fission > [adjective] > maintaining chain reaction

critical1947

prompt critical1954

1954 R. Stephenson Introd. Nucl. Engin. ii. 64 When the k for a U²³⁵ reactor is exactly equal to 1·0073, there is sufficient reactivity to maintain the chain reaction by means of the prompt neutrons alone, and the reactor is said to be prompt critical.

1973 D. R. Inglis Nucl. Energy IV. 120 Plutonium has only about one-third as many delayed neutrons as does uranium.., and this provides only a narrow margin for adjustments below a prompt critical condition.

2003 B. Burton Nucl . Power, Pollution & Politics vii. 166 A failing in the design..was the positive temperature coefficient at low power, i.e. if the temperature rose, so did the power, the response being so rapid that the reactor went prompt critical.

prompt criticality n. Nuclear Physics the condition or state of being prompt critical.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > nuclear fission > [noun] > minimum of fissile material > state of

criticality1946

prompt criticality1954

1954 R. Stephenson Introd. Nucl. Engin. vii. 269 This is the condition for prompt criticality.

1974 S. E. Hunt Fission, Fusion & Energy Crisis vi. 53 Prompt criticality would be even more serious in a fast reactor of the Dounreay type than in the more usual thermal neutron reactors.

2003 B. Burton Nucl . Power, Pollution & Politics vii. 165 The examples outlined typify the main bases of serious reactor accidents—fire, loss of cooling and an excursion into prompt criticality.

prompt-paying adj. (of a customer, etc.) that pays promptly.

ΚΠ

1846 Cumberland (Maryland) Alleganian 3 July 4/1 The above and all other Goods in our line, will be sold cheap for cash, or to prompt paying customers.

1899 Daily News 6 June 8/6 Good, prompt-paying, established tenants.

1931 Amer. Econ. Rev. 21 234 Regular, prompt paying, customers of their advertising columns.

2003 Times (Nexis) 15 Apr. 32 His prompt-paying customers know they will get free help and advice whenever they need it.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

promptv.

Brit.

/prɒm(p)t/, U.S.

/prɑm(p)t/

Forms: late Middle English promtt, late Middle English–1500s promp, late Middle English–1700s promt, late Middle English– prompt, 1500s prompe, 1500s prompte, 1600s prompt (past participle).

Origin: Apparently formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: prompt adj.

Etymology: Apparently < prompt adj. The existence of a post-classical Latin verb *promptare (distinct from classical Latin promptāre to be in charge of dispensing) is suggested by post-classical Latin promptator (15th cent. in Promp. Parv.: see quot. 1440 at prompter n. 1), but no examples of the verb have been found. Compare Italian prontare to urge, to press (12th or 13th cent.). Compare slightly earlier prompting n., and discussion at prompt adj.

a. transitive. To assist (a hesitating or unconfident speaker) by suggesting a word, phrase, etc.; to supply the start of a forgotten line to (an actor, reciter, etc.); to give a prompt or cue to (a person).In quot. 1428: to coach (a person) as to what to say.

ΚΠ

1428 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 5 (MED) John Lyllyng come unto hym and promped hym, and bad hym say yat he cutt hym bot a hundreth of landyren.

1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 241 Y^t euery such suter..should knowe to salute & cal euery citezen by his name without the helpe of any byddelle to prompe hym.

a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 32 Let him translate it into Latin againe, abiding in soch place, where no other scholer may prompe him.

1602 R. Carew Surv. Cornwall i. f. 71^v The players..are prompted by one called the Ordinary, who followeth at their back with the booke in his hand.

1679 Established Test 8 To stand behind the Scene, and prompt both Parties, to Act the bloody Tragedy.

1778 R. Lowth Isaiah xxx. 21 Thine ears shall hear the word prompting thee behind.

1839 E. Bulwer-Lytton Richelieu iv. i. 78 (stage-direct.) Baradas and Orleans keep close to the King—whispering and prompting him when Richelieu speaks.

1874 F. C. Burnand My Time viii. 69 It was like being prompted in an examination, and being unable to catch the word.

1955 J. Coates Linda xv. 170 She dried in the middle of a speech. Beryl prompted her and she went on.

1986 E. Longford Pebbled Shore (1988) ii. 13 The bridegroom, being a Unitarian, could not follow the Anglican marriage service and had to be prompted by the impatient clergyman.

†b. transitive. To remind, put (a person) in mind. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > reminder, putting in mind > remind [verb (transitive)]

mingOE

mina1200

bethink1340

recorda1382

reducec1425

rememberc1425

rememorate1460

mind1524

revive?1564

remembrance1593

recall1595

prompt1600

remind1621

enmind1645

immind1647

refricate1657

commonish1661

flap1790

to touch up1796

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 287 All prompting mee how faire yong Hero is.

a. transitive. To incite to action; to move or induce (a person, etc.) to or to do something.In later use esp. of impersonal agencies.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > set a person talking

prompt1440

start1836

the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > improvement of memory, mnemonics > sharpen memory [verb (transitive)] > assist

prompt1440

cue1928

Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 415 Promtyd [?a1475 Winch. Promptyd], promptus. Promptyn, promo, incenso, insumo.

c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 444 Anoder was with the at þou saw nott þat stude evur and prompyd the to wurk besylie.

a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxxiv. 7 Wha is that vggis not with a way..myrke and sklither, whare he may not fest his fete and tharewith the deuel foluand & promttand.

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 122 By whose directions foundst thou out this place... By loue, who first did prompt me to enquire.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) ii. ii. 138 When I haue Prompted you in the ebbe of your estate, And your great flow of debts.

1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects 12 A hot Sun-shine or warmer aire (even in Winter) will quickly prompt them out of their Hives.

1672 O. Walker Of Educ. i. ix. 86 Defer what your passion prompts you to do.

1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. vi. 70 Their pride prompting them to put it to the utmost trial.

1782 N. Power Let. 21 Oct. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) III. 1289 Interest (not to mention Inclination) prompts me to Avoid Business if possible that will Create me Enemies.

1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 224 A mysterious instinct prompted her.

1876 Argus (Melbourne) 1 July 4/4 Curiosity will doubtless prompt him to enter, and he will find himself in the far-famed ‘saddling paddock’ of the Royal.

1912 H. Belloc This & That 61 The thing that prompted him to write a book was a thought, an idea.

1955 O. Manning Doves of Venus i. i. 1 She put her hand on her husband's arm, prompting him to say ‘Good-night’.

2002 Independent 8 May 15/1 These huge differences in sentencing were what prompted David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, to announce new guidelines yesterday.

b. intransitive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > have motive [verb (intransitive)] > incite or instigate

spura1225

broachc1380

serve1594

exstimulate1603

urge1645

prompt1830

sool1898

compel1903

1830 S. Rogers Meillerie in Italy 62 Records of the past That prompt to hero-worship.

1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xiii. 133 They migrate in numbers as their necessities prompt.

1864 A. Bain Senses & Intellect (ed. 2) i. ii. 124 When two feelings prompt in opposite ways, the one that determines the conduct is said to be volitionally the stronger.

1901 A. Hegan Mrs. Wiggs of Cabbage Patch i. 5 There were no streets, so when the new house was built the owner faced it any way his fancy prompted.

2001 R. V. Heckel & D. M. Shumaker Children who Murder ix. 147 The levels of anger, dehumanization, and alienation that prompt to kill or attempt to kill another person.

a. transitive. To inspire, give rise to (a feeling, thought, action, etc.); to suggest, urge, dictate.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > impel or prompt

shapec1330

causec1340

servec1380

treat1387

movec1390

promove1477

promote1530

instinct1549

misgive1587

prompt1602

apprompt1605

the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > influence by suggestion > suggest

sugger1502

suggest1526

to speak of ——1586

prompt1602

1602 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xiii. lxxviii. 323 That be not Two or diuers Gods is also prompt by this.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. 423 It goes on I see As my soule prompts it.

1624 F. Quarles Sions Elegies sig. C Shee prompteth how to breake New languages.

1673 Vain Insolency of Rome 15 I shall not repent that I prompt these intimations unto you.

1717 A. Pope Eloisa to Abelard in Wks. 428 Whisp'ring Angels prompt her golden dreams.

1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 222 To prompt due Impressions of the Awe of God on the Minds of Men.

1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 47 'Tis morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay.

1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxvi. 446 Lavender knew well what prompted these scornful comments on Borva.

1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iv, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 198 The reasons that prompt this policy new.

1927 A. Conan Doyle Case-bk. Sherlock Holmes 65 He should recognize that your action is prompted entirely by solicitude for his son.

1954 G. Greene End of Affair ii. ii. 67 That devil in my brain prompted the thought that the waste of those three hours meant nothing at all to her.

1994 Times 1 Nov. 6/2 The incident prompted renewed demands for stricter controls on East European ‘rustbuckets’.

†b. transitive. With direct and indirect object. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. ii. 55 Not..by'th'matter Which your heart prompts you.

1632 T. Hawkins tr. P. Matthieu Vnhappy Prosperitie 101 Nature so unworthily outraged, prompted him these imprecations.

a1668 W. Davenant Fair Favorite iii, in Wks. (1673) 98 Happy wert thou in thy ignorance, Could not thy guilt soon prompt thee how to know What I am weary to express.

Derivatives

ˈprompted adj.

ΚΠ

1598 G. Chapman in C. Marlowe & G. Chapman Hero & Leander (new ed.) sig. G3^v Then said her Cupid prompted spirit; shall I Sing mones to such delightsome harmony?]

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. ii. 178 With more clamour..shall my prompted sword, falling on Diomed.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 12 Inspire, As thou art wont, my prompted Song.

1820 J. A. Heraud Legend St. Loy 192 The vast profusion..That..makes the wondering gazer, undesigned, A prompted Poet.

1908 H. James Portrait of Lady (rev. ed.) II. xxxiii. 58 Their prompted talk was naturally of his health.

1993 Brit. Med. Jrnl. (BNC) 6 Mar. 628 All the optometrists reported that they had dilated the pupils of the prompted patients.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

n.¹c1425

n.²1597

adj.adv.?a1425

v.1428

单词	prompt
释义	† promptn.¹ Forms: late Middle English prompte. Origin: A borrowing from Latin; modelled on a Latin lexical item. Etymon: Latin promptus. Etymology: < classical Latin promptus action of making available or accessible < prompt- , past participial stem of prōmere (see prompt adj.) + -tus , suffix forming verbal nouns. In in prompt after classical Latin in promptū within easy reach. Obsolete. rare. Readiness, preparedness. Only in in prompt: in readiness, at one's disposal. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [noun] > state of being prepared or ready graithc1330 readinessc1350 in promptc1425 areadinessa1500 alreadiness1534 apointc1540 furniture1560 expedition1579 prestness1582 preparedness1590 trim1628 addressedness1633 concert pitch1742 engrenage1918 c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 34 (MED) He hadde yt in prompte what sumeuer he wolde vttir to speke yt metyrly. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online December 2020). promptn.² Brit. /prɒm(p)t/, U.S. /prɑm(p)t/ Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: prompt v. Etymology: < prompt v. †1. An act of instigation or incitement. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > an act of prompt1597 bribe1824 1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 27 Common dronckards and carnall lyvers..esteme themeselves as honest and as truly religiouse as the best, and bothe by a subtill prompt of the divill. 1832 Quid, or, Tales of my Messmates 26 Doleful..was urged on by a prompt from Twig to give something really true, which Doleful obeying, thus began the Mysterious Death of the Cook. 2. a. Something said or done to aid the memory; a reminder; spec. a word or phrase spoken to remind an actor, reciter, etc., of a forgotten word or line (cf. prompt v. 1). Later also more generally: anything which when seen, heard, etc., acts as a stimulus or guide to some action; a cue. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > improvement of memory, mnemonics > [noun] > memory aid prompt1707 technical verse1728 mnemonic1842 mnemonicon1858 knot-writing1896 memory drug1965 mnemotechnic1991 1707 C. Cibber Comical Lovers v. 69 I'll lay her on to the best of my assurance then: But you won't forget, I hope, to give me a Prompt upon occasion. 1881 M. A. Lewis Two Pretty Girls III. 12 She..was glad to accept a prompt from her neighbour. 1914 ‘I. Hay’ Lighter Side School Life v. 141 The acceptance of a whispered ‘prompt’ from a good Samaritan when badly cornered by a question. 1961 Psychol. Bull. 58 368/1 Continuous use of context cues as ancillary prompts should be avoided, since such prompts can interfere with learning. 1992 Houston Chron. (Nexis) 12 Jan. c1 The microphone picked up her stage-whisper prompt: ‘We're doing everything we can.’ And then Ronnie said, oh so sincerely, ‘We're doing everything we can.’ 2004 Wall St. Jrnl. 26 July (Central ed.) b2/1 Automatic external defibrillators..have visual or oral prompts that tell the user how to place electrode pads on the victim's chest. b. Theatre (chiefly British). = prompter n. 2a. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > the staging of a theatrical production > people concerned with theatrical productions > [noun] > prompter book-bearer1530 book holder1585 prompter1585 ordinary1602 under-prompter1781 prompt1969 1969 M. Steinbeck On Stage 68 Some producers like a prompt either side but it is usual for the prompt to sit on the left side (actor's left) and this becomes known as the prompt side. 1989 M. Aspel Michael Aspel: In Good Company (BNC) 23 Miss Yvonne Smith made a very good prompt. 2000 G. Davies Create your own Stage Production Company 45/1 The good prompt..will be aware of problems immediately and will give the line before the audience has noticed that there is a gap. c. Computing. A word, symbol, or message automatically displayed on a screen to indicate that input is required from the user. ΘΚΠ society > computing and information technology > software > [noun] > operating environment > messages requiring user response prompt1977 dialogue1984 dialogue box1984 1977 Computer-Aided Design 9 151 Displaying and responding to prompts from the computer. 1985 Which Computer? Apr. 51/2 Prompts and help messages reduce the possibility of making an error in the first place. 1992 Broadcasting 27 Jan. 35/2 An on-screen prompt encourages viewers to enter the names of household members viewing a given program. 2000 Daily Tel. 16 Mar. (Connected section) 14/2 Exit Windows to DOS mode..and change to drive letter A by typing A: at the C:> (or C:\\\\WINDOWS>) prompt. 3. Business. a. A time limit for payment of an account for goods purchased; a date when payment becomes due. Also: goods sold under an agreement as to a time limit for payment. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > payment > [noun] > hastening or delaying payment > due date for payment prompt1755 1755 N. Magens Ess. Insurances I. 348 This 1 per Cent., which was left out on account of the different Prompts for Payment, must either be deducted on none or both the Accounts. 1785 Daily Universal Reg. 18 May 4/2 (advt.) The Stock in Trade of Mr. Thomas Braddock... To be viewed This Day, and till the Sale... Two Months Prompt. 1826 Times 8 July 3/1 It is directed..that the duties arising from each of the Company's quarterly sales should be paid 42 days after their respective prompts. 1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. II. 64 The speculation went on at advancing prices..till nearly the expiration of the prompt. 1881 Times 18 Oct. 7/2 The pressure to sell ‘short prompts’ kept the market from improving during the greater part of the week. 1890 Pall Mall Gaz. 24 Nov. 7/3 In goods like tea, where the prompt, or time allowed before the goods are taken up, is long, a deposit of something like one-third of the value has to be made at the time of purchase... In most..leading goods the prompt is short. 1908 N.E.D. (at cited word) If you offered me corn at so much, I might reply ‘At what prompt?’ or ‘What is the prompt?’ 1927 Daily Tel. 23 Aug. 2/6 Standard tin gave way this morning, weakness being pronounced for cash and early prompts owing to increase in warehouse stocks in London and Liverpool. 1930 Times 2 Apr. 24/5 On the standard market there was further relaxation of tension in the near position, and with early prompts offered more freely, cash closed 16s. 3d. lower. †b. A written agreement to sell or purchase goods (see quot. 1882). Obsolete. ΚΠ 1791 R. Peckham Consid. Advantages Free Ports 9 The use of equivalent documents in the East-India-company's prompts..may be adduced in point. 1840 Times 11 Apr. 6/2 A heavy prompt on tea came due to-day, but it passed over without any great pressure. 1882 R. Bithell Counting-house Dict. 245 Prompt... In commerce, the setting forth in a written document the record of a bargain or sale, in such a form as to render it negotiable... A prompt is an agreement between a shipper or importer on the one hand, and a merchant on the other; in which the former engages to sell certain specified goods at a given price, and the latter to take them up and pay for them at a specified date... It implies..that the goods shall be ‘promptly’ paid for on delivery, if delivered before the specified date, and at the specified date, whether they are delivered or not. Compounds C1. Chiefly Theatre. † prompt bell n. Obsolete = prompter's bell n. at prompter n. Compounds. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > prompting equipment prompter's bell1779 prompt bell1784 prompter's table1834 prompt table1844 1784 New Spectator No. 6. 7 Then recommences the music of the iritated Gods..after that comes the tinkling of the prompt bell. prompt box n. = prompter's box n. at prompter n. Compounds. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > prompter's box prompter's box1775 prompt box1859 1859 G. A. Sala Twice round Clock 246 I happened to be almost born in a prompt-box and weaned in a scene-painter's size-kettle. 1891 Pall Mall Gaz. 30 Sept. 3/1 The prompt-box was placed in the centre of the stage; but, owing to there being no floor below the stage, our prompter..had to raise a trap-door in the stage, and to crawl along, on hands and knees. 1986 C. H. Kullman & W. C. Young Theatre Companies of World I. 491 The company..performed against painted backdrops depicting both exteriors and interiors, standing in an arc in front of the prompt box. † prompt-centre n. Obsolete the position on a stage halfway between the centre and the prompt side. ΚΠ 1888 Scribner's Mag. Oct. 436/2 Half-way between the prompt-side and the point which marks half the width of the stage is the prompt-centre. prompt copy n. = prompt book n. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > written or printed text > [noun] > prompter's copy prompter's book1725 prompter's copy1746 prompt book1768 prompt copy1792 prompt script1920 1792 H. Fielding Miser (title page) Corrected from the Prompt Copy by James Wild. 1884 J. O. Halliwell in Athenæum 25 Oct. 529/2 An old prompt copy may have wandered out of England. 1940 B. Hewitt Art & Craft Play Prod. xiv. 334 The whole of this plan may well be put together in a looseleaf notebook to serve as the director's script or prompt copy of the play. 1994 Times Lit. Suppl. 21 Jan. 15/3 The prompt copy of the early play became valueless to the King's Men but vendible to a bookseller. prompt corner n. chiefly British the prompter's corner offstage. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > sides side-scene1675 side wing1698 slips1771 prompt sidec1782 wing1790 side-slip1808 coulisse1819 prompt corner1872 tormentor1886 P1901 1872 Chambers's Encycl. IX. 390/1 An interesting point on the stage is the prompt corner, from which the prompter has command of all the lights of the house, and bells to warn every man of his duty. 1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage i. 17 A good stage-manager is never far from the prompt corner. 1990 R. Critchfield Among British v. 310 My duties were to sit in the prompt-corner with the book, to understudy, to fetch sandwiches from Brown's Café,..and to help with props. prompt entrance n. chiefly British the route on to the stage from the prompt corner. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > entrance to stage stage-door1761 prompt entrance1879 portal1947 1879 Times 13 Aug. 12/2 On the 31st of July witness was in the prompt entrance and was called to the stage door about 10 p.m. 1913 Kansas City (Missouri) Star 4 July 9/6 He spent every afternoon in the prompt entrance while the famous dancers were on, studying..the methods of the couple. 1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 143 Prompt entrance, that way on to the stage from the prompt corner which is for the use of the stage management. prompt note n. Business (now rare) a note given to a customer recording the date when a payment is due. ΚΠ 1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products 303/2 Prompt-note, a note of reminder of the day of payment and sum due, etc., given to a purchaser at a sale of produce. 1969 Amer. Heritage Dict. 1047/1 Prompt,..2. a. A prompt note. b. The time limit stipulated in a prompt note. prompt script n. = prompt book n. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > written or printed text > [noun] > prompter's copy prompter's book1725 prompter's copy1746 prompt book1768 prompt copy1792 prompt script1920 1920 P. G. Wodehouse Little Warrior xiv. 261 The assistant stage-director bent sedulously over the footlights..shading his eyes with the prompt script. 1997 B. Brewster & L. Jacobs Theatre to Cinema viii. 157 The Tams-Witmark prompt script [of Lucia di Lammermoor]..shows a setting consisting of foliage wings and borders, steps to a terrace [etc.]. prompt side n. chiefly British the side of the stage where the prompter sits, usually at stage left; cf. P.S. n. at P n. Initialisms. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > sides side-scene1675 side wing1698 slips1771 prompt sidec1782 wing1790 side-slip1808 coulisse1819 prompt corner1872 tormentor1886 P1901 c1782 in Theatre Jrnl. (1994) 46 308 At the prompt side, first Wing—is a Close Door; at the Second wing, a window that opens. 1848 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby (new ed.) xxiii. 172/2 Nicholas found himself close to the first entrance on the prompt side. 1943 Music & Lett. 24 4 The tables have been moved from the prompt side to the O.P. side. 1990 Amateur Stage Aug. 10 (inset) Apart from the stairs at the front the only stage access is via a door on the prompt side upstage. prompt table n. chiefly U.S. = prompter's table n. at prompter n. Compounds. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > prompting equipment prompter's bell1779 prompt bell1784 prompter's table1834 prompt table1844 1844 J. Cowell Thirty Years among Players ii. ii. 59/2 Every book or manuscript they have an opportunity to place upon a prompt-table. 1895 Davenport (Iowa) Daily Republican 3 Dec. 3/5 In those days when the American queen of tragedy rehearsed Juliet she sat on the prompt table swinging her legs and chewing gum like a school girl. 1967 Listener 21 Sept. 369/2 He caught sight of Trebel..lurking by the prompt table. 1997 Communication World (Nexis) 15 31 In the U.S., the prompt desk or prompt table usually is on the left side of the stage. In the U.K., it's usually on the right side. prompt-word n. a word spoken by a prompter in a theatre, etc.; (more generally) a word used as a prompt. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > a play > [noun] > word spoken by prompter prompt-word1826 1826 S. W. Singer Dramatic Wks. Shakspeare X. 234 (note) The hint or prompt word..is the word or sign given by the prompter for a player to enter on his part. 1918 A. Quiller-Couch Foe-Farrell 176 I knew..that I must break his fate to him. I even gave him the prompt-word. ‘Homelike’, I suggested. 1967 Jrnl. Verbal Learning & Verbal Behav. 6 204/2 For prompt-words, this group received all the final nouns from all test sentences. 2004 Times Educ. Suppl. (Nexis) 16 July 17 Do we really want our students to be memorising prompt-words and assessment weightings rather than discussing the intellectual challenge that they have found in a literary text? C2. Business. In compounds denoting the day or date on which payment for goods purchased is due (cf. prompt adj. 4). Esp. in prompt day, prompt date. ΚΠ 1795 Times 26 Oct. 2/3 The Tea Sale..[will be] on December 2. The Prompt Day to be Feb. 26. 1830 Times 3 Feb. 2/5 The obligation..of paying up the duties on their purchases when the Company's prompt day arrives, about three months after the sale, although the teas may not be required for months. 1908 N.E.D. at Prompt sb. Short for prompt date, day, time. 1917 Manitoba Free Press 18 Jan. 10/7 (advt.) Funsten Bros. & Co..will offer for sale by auction..the following goods... Prompt day February 20th. 1934 Q. Jrnl. Econ. 48 298 A ‘Prompt Day’ is established a few days after the close of the market at which time payment must be made and merchandise removed by the purchaser. 1997 R. Dand Internat. Cocoa Trade v. 117 The prompt date is the day by which the buyer must pay for the parcel and therefore take delivery. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). promptadj.adv. Brit. /prɒm(p)t/, U.S. /prɑm(p)t/ Forms: late Middle English–1500s prompte, late Middle English– prompt, 1500s prompe; Scottish pre-1700 promp, pre-1700 prompe, pre-1700 prompte, pre-1700 1700s– prompt. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French prompt; Latin promptus. Etymology: < Middle French prompt (French prompt ) inclined, disposed (to) (12th cent. in Old French), eloquent, skilful in speech (beginning of the 15th cent.; compare avoir langage prompt to be always ready to speak (a1472)), swift to act (early 15th cent.; subsequently also easily angered (1616)), which occurs rapidly (early 15th cent.), who understands quickly (1580) and its etymon classical Latin promptus brought to light, manifest, at hand, ready, quick, acting with alacrity, prepared, disposed, inclined, use as adjective of past participle of prōmere to bring forth or out, to produce, to bring to light < prō- pro- prefix¹ + emere to take, to buy (see emption n.). Compare Catalan prompte (14th cent.), Spanish pronto (14th cent.), Portuguese pronto (15th cent.), Italian pronto (a1293). Compare prompt v., and also prompting n., which apparently implies earlier currency for both the verb and the adjective (compare also the composition date of the source cited in quot. a1500 at prompt v. 2a). A. adj. †1. Apparently: easy (to endure). Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 83 (MED) Som [ulcers] ar prompte or redy for to suffre whatsomeuer bi cause of sone helyng. [L. Quidam vero quodcumque sustinere prompti sunt gracia cite sanacionis.] 2. a. Ready in action; quick to act when occasion arises; acting with alacrity, or without undue delay; ready and willing; quick to do something. Also: punctual. (In quot. 1525 figurative.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > prompt to act radeOE yevereOE snellOE ratheOE spacka1200 quickc1300 eagerc1325 readyc1330 tallc1374 smartc1380 desirousc1386 rifec1390 promptc1425 speedy?1504 nimblea1547 present1548 go-ahead1825 the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] > ready or prompt radeOE rekenOE ratheOE freshc1175 gradelyc1275 quickc1300 freea1393 readya1425 promptc1425 forward1523 forwards1598 cheerful1600 alacritous1821 up to ——1849 c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 25 From that tyme they began to be more prompte to yeue ther almes, And also feruent in deuocioun. c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 31 (MED) For as moche as the bygynnyngis of grete thyngis nedith gretter helpe thanne most, [he] was prompte. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1874) V. 61 (MED) Carausius..prompte [L. promptus] in cownsel, obteynede of the senate that he myȝhte kepe the costes of the see of Briteyn. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. cxvi. f. liii^v She that was prompte & redy to all euyll, cast in her mynde that this Chylde was slayne by Poyson. 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. cxxxiii. [cxxix.] 373 Thus they went saylyng by the see fresshly..the see was so prompe and so agreeable to them. c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) Prol. 9 Thai ar mair prompt to repreif ane smal ignorant falt nor to commende ane grit verteous act. 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde ii. ii. f. 58 A man of prompt wytte. a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 75 Tell him, I am prompt To lay my Crowne at's feete, and there to kneele. View more context for this quotation 1653 R. Saunders Physiognomie ii. 157 They will be prompt, and fit for posting. 1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 335 Three pert Templars came..Each prompt to query, answer, and debate. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 239 They..wanting him to loose the sacred seal, Found him as prompt as their desire was true, To spread the new-born glories in their view. 1808 W. Scott Marmion vi. xvi. 341 A matchless horse, though something old, Prompt to his paces, cool and bold. 1851 T. Carlyle Life J. Sterling i. i. 9 The promptest and least hesitating of men. 1870 J. H. Burton Hist. Scotl. to 1688 VII. lxxii. 93 The friend who had ever been prompt in time of peril. 1883 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Sunday Gaz. 8 Apr. 4/3 Please be prompt at the morning service to insure a good seat. 1901 R. Kipling Kim i. 32 Being as prompt as he was unscrupulous, Mahbub Ali..pressed him into service on the spot. 1937 E. W. McAdoo & M. Y. Gaffey Woodrow Wilsons ii. 37 We were prompt for meals; punctuality was a household tenet, strictly enforced. 1985 G. Naylor Linden Hills 122 Thank you for being so prompt in your reply. 2004 B. Blech Eyewitness Jewish Hist. xv. 143 The Jews had heard how the kings of the French were prompt to act against their enemies. †b. Ready in mind; inclined, disposed. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] freeeOE well-willingOE readyc1175 fainc1275 buxoma1300 prestc1300 liefc1325 rifec1390 willyc1390 baina1400 willinga1400 listyc1440 towardc1440 appliable1449 pronea1450 wilfulc1460 prompt?a1475 content1477 towardly1513 contenteda1525 towards1525 fond1529 comingc1576 unrefusinga1586 open-armed1594 voluntary1598 gainsome1629 easy1653 unreluctant1654 nothing loath1667 applicable1702 irreluctanta1706 unhesitating1753 unloath1861 prone-minded1869 ?a1475 (?a1425) in tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1882) VIII. App. 470 (MED) The Scottes..sende to the kynge..with whom thei be prompte ageyne the realme of Ynglonde. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. v. 89 I cannot sing..Nor play at subtill games, faire vertues all: To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant. View more context for this quotation †c. Hasty, forward, abrupt, blunt. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adjective] > curt or brusque short1390 cutted1530 snappish1542 abrupt1578 stunt1581 blunt1590 brusquea1639 snapping1642 blatec1650 brisk1665 bluff1705 offhand1708 prerupt1727 squab1737 prompt1768 crisp1814 brief1818 stuntya1825 curt1831 snappy1834 bluffy1844 nebby1873 offhandish1886 nebsy1894 1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 92 A prompt French Marquis at our ambassador's table demanded of Mr. H——, if he was H—— the poet? No, said H—— mildly—Tant pis, replied the Marquis. 3. a. Of action, speech, thought, etc.: ready, quick; done, performed, etc., without delay; immediate. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > characterized by promptness of action readya1393 prompt1483 speediful1647 fast1863 society > trade and finance > payment > [adjective] > prompt readya1400 prompt1766 plump1865 1483 tr. Adam of Eynsham Reuelation v Thoes wordys the whiche he made in his supplicacions ware so redy & prompte and also repletyd with grete reson & hyenesse of witte that hit semyd rathir he redde hem thanne seyde hem. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. OOOiiii Contemplacion is a free and a prompt or redy syght of the eye of the mynde. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus (title) Apophthegmes, that is to saie, prompte, quicke, wittie and sentencious saiynges, of certain Emperours, Kynges,..Philosophiers and Oratours. 1624 H. Wotton Elements Archit. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 260 The reception of Light into the Body of the building, was very prompt. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 149 Such prompt eloquence Flowd from thir lips, in Prose or numerous Verse. View more context for this quotation 1678 J. Vernon Compl. Compting-house 155 There is generally an abatement of 10 per Cent. for prompt payment. 1713 C. Cibber tr. P. Corneille in Cinna's Conspiracy v. ii. 49 Our Flame..Was not the prompt Effect of your Commands. Four Years have we conceal'd our tender Passion. 1766 W. Gordon Gen. Counting-house 371 His creditor..demands prompt payment in cash..in ready money. 1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson I. Advt. p. ix The stretch of mind and prompt assiduity. 1834 T. B. Macaulay William Pitt in Ess. (1887) 322 Those qualities which enable men to form prompt and judicious decisions. 1877 W. S. Gilbert Sorcerer i We deduct 10 per cent for prompt cash. 1932 G. Humphrey & M. Humphrey tr. J. M. G. Itard Wild Boy of Aveyron 30 This child..will have owed the prompt recovery of his wound to the help of nature alone. 1957 B. Spock Common Sense Bk. Baby & Child Care (new ed.) 65 You'll have a good idea of which symptoms or questions require prompt contact with the doctor and which can wait till tomorrow or the next visit. 1981 Antiquaries Jrnl. 61 i. 149 It is good to see such prompt publication of a medieval excavation in France. 2000 A. Thorpe Shifts (2001) 100 The camp overseer was bitten by a green mamba and was only saved by prompt action from his boss. †b. Suddenly emergent; demanding instant action. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 157 I neuer saw a combat or causeless brabble, though they be very apt in prompt occasions, to demonstrate valour and resolution. 4. Business. Of goods: available for immediate delivery. Also: relating to or designating the market in such goods.In quot. a1881: due to be delivered or collected (and paid for). Cf. prompt n.² Compounds 2. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > other trading methods > [adjective] > immediate prompt1861 1861 Times 22 Oct. 12/1 Holders stood out for 49s. 9d. prompt, at which the [pig-iron] market closed steady. 1879 Times 6 Sept. 7/4 Prompt iron Californian offered at 47s. per 500lb., and wood at 9d. less. a1881 H. Nicol MS Note (O.E.D. Archive) [Expression in the London tea-trade] When are the overland teas prompt? The regular word for due in reference to the proceeds of sales of tea and other merchandise. [Dated 1879 in N.E.D. (1908).] 1883 Daily News 25 Sept. 2/7 Beetroot—Old crop, 89¹/ ₂ per cent., sold prompt at 20s. 7¹/ ₂d. 1888 Daily News 24 Dec. 2/6 The prompt figure for No. 3 [pig iron] has been 33s. 6d.; 34s. to 34s. 3d. is quoted January to March. 1907 Washington Post 31 Jan. 5/2 Deliveries of pig iron to foundries and steel works have been better..and the demand for spot and prompt iron has much lessened. 1954 Economist 29 May 729 The Government broker..has supplied prompt metal (copper) to the London market. 1989 Financial Times (Nexis) 1 July i. 15 The Russians are back in the prompt market, and..they are buying white sugar when supplies are..tight. 2004 Metals Week (Nexis) 13 Sept. 13 Market players said there was little activity for prompt metal, despite the dip on the London Metal Exchange last week. 5. Particle Physics. Of a particle: emitted within a very short time interval as the primary product of a reaction or process, as opposed to a delayed or secondary product; spec. (of neutrons and gamma rays) emitted as the direct result of nuclear fission, as distinct from radiation arising from the decay of fission products (cf. delayed neutron n. at delayed adj.² Compounds). ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > nuclear fission > [adjective] > resulting from fission prompt1947 1947 M. Deutsch in C. Goodman Sci. & Engin. of Nucl. Power I. ii. 84 The average total kinetic energy of the two fission fragments from U²³⁶ is about 160 Mev. In addition, the prompt neutrons have kinetic energies totaling about 5 Mev. 1947 M. Deutsch in C. Goodman Sci. & Engin. of Nucl. Power I. ii. 84 The nucleus may lose energy by the emission of prompt gamma rays. 1973 Physical Rev. C. 7 1180/1 In Table 1 the energy emitted per fission event in the form of prompt-γ radiation and the number of γ rays per fission are given. 1974 S. E. Hunt Fission, Fusion & Energy Crisis vi. 53 Reactors are operated so that if they relied on the neutrons emitted instantaneously on fission, on so-called ‘prompt’ neutrons, alone, the fission chain reaction would be subcritical. 1987 Nature 10 Sept. 134/1 As these two neutrino events come within the first 0.1 s it is suggestive to identify them as prompt neutronization neutrinos generated via e⁻ + p → ν_e + n during the collapse. 2006 Measurement Sci. & Technol. 17 84/1 The primarily ‘knocked-out’ electrons (prompt electrons) have a continuous energy distribution, while the electrons emitted as decay products of..states excited during the collision appear as lines in the energy spectrum. 6. Occurring at the time of, or very soon after, a nuclear explosion or an earthquake. ΚΠ 1953 Nevada State Jrnl. 11 Aug. 15/3 It is possible to provide simple and relatively inexpensive shelter at reasonable distances against the blast and the prompt radiation effects of an atomic explosion. 1979 Sci. Amer. (U.K. ed.) July 29/1 (caption) The prompt effects of the explosion of a one-megaton nuclear warhead detonated at a height of 6,500 feet over the heart of New York. 2002 Jrnl. Geophysical Res. 107 15-1 The stress drop associated with the prompt fluid pressure rise increases with rupture propagation distance. 2003 L. E. Davis et al. Individual Preparedness & Response to Chem., Radiol., Nucl., & Biol. Terrorist Attacks i. 12 The immediate effects of this ground burst would involve blast damage, heat, and prompt radiation. B. adv. 1. With reference to a specified time: exactly, precisely, to the minute; = sharp adv. 1c. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > punctuality > [adverb] punctually1652 critically1655 sharp1840 on time1854 prompt1869 on the dot1875 dot1894 prepunctually1894 on or to the tick1902 1869 Edinb. Evening Courant 4 Oct. 3/3 (advt.) Stock to be penned by 9 o'clock. Start prompt at 10. 1900 Trenton (New Jersey) Times 2 June 8/6 (advt.) Stages will be provided to take the members to the ground. First stages will leave prompt at 10 A M. 1938 Folk-lore 49 186 Whenever he went to bed he always went in good time—nine o'clock prompt. 1987 A. Tutuola Pauper, Brawler & Slanderer xxii. 113 At ten o'clock prompt, Pauper's canoe left the port along with the other canoes. 2. gen. Promptly; soon. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] soonc825 ratheeOE rathelyeOE rekeneOE rekenlyOE thereright971 anonOE forth ona1000 coflyc1000 ferlyc1000 radlyOE swiftlyc1000 unyoreOE yareOE at the forme (also first) wordOE nowOE shortlya1050 rightOE here-rightlOE right anonlOE anonc1175 forthrightc1175 forthwithalc1175 skeetc1175 swithc1175 with and withc1175 anon-rightc1225 anon-rights?c1225 belivec1225 lightly?c1225 quickly?c1225 tidelyc1225 fastlyc1275 hastilyc1275 i-radlichec1275 as soon asc1290 aright1297 bedenea1300 in little wevea1300 withoute(n dwella1300 alrightc1300 as fast (as)c1300 at firstc1300 in placec1300 in the placec1300 mididonec1300 outrightc1300 prestc1300 streck13.. titec1300 without delayc1300 that stounds1303 rada1325 readya1325 apacec1325 albedenec1330 as (also also) titec1330 as blivec1330 as line rightc1330 as straight as linec1330 in anec1330 in presentc1330 newlyc1330 suddenlyc1330 titelyc1330 yernec1330 as soon1340 prestly1340 streckly1340 swithly?1370 evenlya1375 redelya1375 redlya1375 rifelya1375 yeplya1375 at one blastc1380 fresha1382 ripelyc1384 presentc1385 presently1385 without arrestc1385 readilyc1390 in the twinkling of a looka1393 derflya1400 forwhya1400 skeetlya1400 straighta1400 swifta1400 maintenantc1400 out of handc1400 wightc1400 at a startc1405 immediately1420 incontinent1425 there and then1428 onenec1429 forwithc1430 downright?a1439 agatec1440 at a tricec1440 right forth1440 withouten wonec1440 whipc1460 forthwith1461 undelayed1470 incessantly1472 at a momentc1475 right nowc1475 synec1475 incontinently1484 promptly1490 in the nonce?a1500 uncontinent1506 on (upon, in) the instant1509 in short1513 at a clap1519 by and by1526 straightway1526 at a twitch1528 at the first chop1528 maintenantly1528 on a tricea1529 with a tricec1530 at once1531 belively1532 straightwaysa1533 short days1533 undelayedly1534 fro hand1535 indelayedly1535 straight forth1536 betimesc1540 livelyc1540 upononc1540 suddenly1544 at one (or a) dash?1550 at (the) first dash?1550 instantly1552 forth of hand1564 upon the nines1568 on the nail1569 at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572 indilately1572 summarily1578 at one (a) chop1581 amain1587 straightwise1588 extempore1593 presto1598 upon the place1600 directly1604 instant1604 just now1606 with a siserary1607 promiscuously1609 at (in) one (an) instant1611 on (also upon) the momenta1616 at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617 hand to fist1634 fastisha1650 nextly1657 to rights1663 straightaway1663 slap1672 at first bolt1676 point-blank1679 in point1680 offhand1686 instanter1688 sonica1688 flush1701 like a thought1720 in a crack1725 momentary1725 bumbye1727 clacka1734 plumba1734 right away1734 momentarily1739 momentaneously1753 in a snap1768 right off1771 straight an end1778 abruptedly1784 in a whistle1784 slap-bang1785 bang?1795 right off the reel1798 in a whiff1800 in a flash1801 like a shot1809 momently1812 in a brace or couple of shakes1816 in a gird1825 (all) in a rush1829 in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830 straightly1830 toot sweetc1830 in two twos1838 rectly1843 quick-stick1844 short metre1848 right1849 at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854 off the hooks1860 quicksticks1860 straight off1873 bang off1886 away1887 in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890 ek dum1895 tout de suite1895 bung1899 one time1899 prompt1910 yesterday1911 in two ups1934 presto changeo1946 now-now1966 presto change1987 1910 W. M. Raine Bucky O'Connor ii. 23 The reverend gentleman..had this diverting experience so prompt after he was wishing for it. 1991 A. A. Aidoo Changes i. 3 They will do everything, my people, everything will be ready, prompt, for your journey, I promise. Compounds C1. Parasynthetic. † prompt-witted adj. Obsolete ΚΠ 1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits viii. 112 None, who is prompt-witted, can learne to read without stumbling. C2. prompt critical adj. Nuclear Physics (of a reactor) critical even when the effect of delayed neutrons is neglected and prompt neutrons alone are considered. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > nuclear fission > [adjective] > maintaining chain reaction critical1947 prompt critical1954 1954 R. Stephenson Introd. Nucl. Engin. ii. 64 When the k for a U²³⁵ reactor is exactly equal to 1·0073, there is sufficient reactivity to maintain the chain reaction by means of the prompt neutrons alone, and the reactor is said to be prompt critical. 1973 D. R. Inglis Nucl. Energy IV. 120 Plutonium has only about one-third as many delayed neutrons as does uranium.., and this provides only a narrow margin for adjustments below a prompt critical condition. 2003 B. Burton Nucl . Power, Pollution & Politics vii. 166 A failing in the design..was the positive temperature coefficient at low power, i.e. if the temperature rose, so did the power, the response being so rapid that the reactor went prompt critical. prompt criticality n. Nuclear Physics the condition or state of being prompt critical. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > nuclear fission > [noun] > minimum of fissile material > state of criticality1946 prompt criticality1954 1954 R. Stephenson Introd. Nucl. Engin. vii. 269 This is the condition for prompt criticality. 1974 S. E. Hunt Fission, Fusion & Energy Crisis vi. 53 Prompt criticality would be even more serious in a fast reactor of the Dounreay type than in the more usual thermal neutron reactors. 2003 B. Burton Nucl . Power, Pollution & Politics vii. 165 The examples outlined typify the main bases of serious reactor accidents—fire, loss of cooling and an excursion into prompt criticality. prompt-paying adj. (of a customer, etc.) that pays promptly. ΚΠ 1846 Cumberland (Maryland) Alleganian 3 July 4/1 The above and all other Goods in our line, will be sold cheap for cash, or to prompt paying customers. 1899 Daily News 6 June 8/6 Good, prompt-paying, established tenants. 1931 Amer. Econ. Rev. 21 234 Regular, prompt paying, customers of their advertising columns. 2003 Times (Nexis) 15 Apr. 32 His prompt-paying customers know they will get free help and advice whenever they need it. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). promptv. Brit. /prɒm(p)t/, U.S. /prɑm(p)t/ Forms: late Middle English promtt, late Middle English–1500s promp, late Middle English–1700s promt, late Middle English– prompt, 1500s prompe, 1500s prompte, 1600s prompt (past participle). Origin: Apparently formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: prompt adj. Etymology: Apparently < prompt adj. The existence of a post-classical Latin verb promptare (distinct from classical Latin promptāre* to be in charge of dispensing) is suggested by post-classical Latin promptator (15th cent. in Promp. Parv.: see quot. 1440 at prompter n. 1), but no examples of the verb have been found. Compare Italian prontare to urge, to press (12th or 13th cent.). Compare slightly earlier prompting n., and discussion at prompt adj. 1. a. transitive. To assist (a hesitating or unconfident speaker) by suggesting a word, phrase, etc.; to supply the start of a forgotten line to (an actor, reciter, etc.); to give a prompt or cue to (a person).In quot. 1428: to coach (a person) as to what to say. ΚΠ 1428 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 5 (MED) John Lyllyng come unto hym and promped hym, and bad hym say yat he cutt hym bot a hundreth of landyren. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 241 Y^t euery such suter..should knowe to salute & cal euery citezen by his name without the helpe of any byddelle to prompe hym. a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 32 Let him translate it into Latin againe, abiding in soch place, where no other scholer may prompe him. 1602 R. Carew Surv. Cornwall i. f. 71^v The players..are prompted by one called the Ordinary, who followeth at their back with the booke in his hand. 1679 Established Test 8 To stand behind the Scene, and prompt both Parties, to Act the bloody Tragedy. 1778 R. Lowth Isaiah xxx. 21 Thine ears shall hear the word prompting thee behind. 1839 E. Bulwer-Lytton Richelieu iv. i. 78 (stage-direct.) Baradas and Orleans keep close to the King—whispering and prompting him when Richelieu speaks. 1874 F. C. Burnand My Time viii. 69 It was like being prompted in an examination, and being unable to catch the word. 1955 J. Coates Linda xv. 170 She dried in the middle of a speech. Beryl prompted her and she went on. 1986 E. Longford Pebbled Shore (1988) ii. 13 The bridegroom, being a Unitarian, could not follow the Anglican marriage service and had to be prompted by the impatient clergyman. †b. transitive. To remind, put (a person) in mind. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > reminder, putting in mind > remind [verb (transitive)] mingOE mina1200 bethink1340 recorda1382 reducec1425 rememberc1425 rememorate1460 mind1524 revive?1564 remembrance1593 recall1595 prompt1600 remind1621 enmind1645 immind1647 refricate1657 commonish1661 flap1790 to touch up1796 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 287 All prompting mee how faire yong Hero is. View more context for this quotation 2. a. transitive. To incite to action; to move or induce (a person, etc.) to or to do something.In later use esp. of impersonal agencies. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > set a person talking prompt1440 start1836 the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > improvement of memory, mnemonics > sharpen memory [verb (transitive)] > assist prompt1440 cue1928 Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 415 Promtyd [?a1475 Winch. Promptyd], promptus. Promptyn, promo, incenso, insumo. c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 444 Anoder was with the at þou saw nott þat stude evur and prompyd the to wurk besylie. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxxiv. 7 Wha is that vggis not with a way..myrke and sklither, whare he may not fest his fete and tharewith the deuel foluand & promttand. 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 122 By whose directions foundst thou out this place... By loue, who first did prompt me to enquire. a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) ii. ii. 138 When I haue Prompted you in the ebbe of your estate, And your great flow of debts. View more context for this quotation 1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects 12 A hot Sun-shine or warmer aire (even in Winter) will quickly prompt them out of their Hives. 1672 O. Walker Of Educ. i. ix. 86 Defer what your passion prompts you to do. 1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. vi. 70 Their pride prompting them to put it to the utmost trial. 1782 N. Power Let. 21 Oct. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) III. 1289 Interest (not to mention Inclination) prompts me to Avoid Business if possible that will Create me Enemies. 1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 224 A mysterious instinct prompted her. 1876 Argus (Melbourne) 1 July 4/4 Curiosity will doubtless prompt him to enter, and he will find himself in the far-famed ‘saddling paddock’ of the Royal. 1912 H. Belloc This & That 61 The thing that prompted him to write a book was a thought, an idea. 1955 O. Manning Doves of Venus i. i. 1 She put her hand on her husband's arm, prompting him to say ‘Good-night’. 2002 Independent 8 May 15/1 These huge differences in sentencing were what prompted David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, to announce new guidelines yesterday. b. intransitive. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > have motive [verb (intransitive)] > incite or instigate spura1225 broachc1380 serve1594 exstimulate1603 urge1645 prompt1830 sool1898 compel1903 1830 S. Rogers Meillerie in Italy 62 Records of the past That prompt to hero-worship. 1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xiii. 133 They migrate in numbers as their necessities prompt. 1864 A. Bain Senses & Intellect (ed. 2) i. ii. 124 When two feelings prompt in opposite ways, the one that determines the conduct is said to be volitionally the stronger. 1901 A. Hegan Mrs. Wiggs of Cabbage Patch i. 5 There were no streets, so when the new house was built the owner faced it any way his fancy prompted. 2001 R. V. Heckel & D. M. Shumaker Children who Murder ix. 147 The levels of anger, dehumanization, and alienation that prompt to kill or attempt to kill another person. 3. a. transitive. To inspire, give rise to (a feeling, thought, action, etc.); to suggest, urge, dictate. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > impel or prompt shapec1330 causec1340 servec1380 treat1387 movec1390 promove1477 promote1530 instinct1549 misgive1587 prompt1602 apprompt1605 the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > influence by suggestion > suggest sugger1502 suggest1526 to speak of ——1586 prompt1602 1602 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xiii. lxxviii. 323 That be not Two or diuers Gods is also prompt by this. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. 423 It goes on I see As my soule prompts it. View more context for this quotation 1624 F. Quarles Sions Elegies sig. C Shee prompteth how to breake New languages. 1673 Vain Insolency of Rome 15 I shall not repent that I prompt these intimations unto you. 1717 A. Pope Eloisa to Abelard in Wks. 428 Whisp'ring Angels prompt her golden dreams. 1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 222 To prompt due Impressions of the Awe of God on the Minds of Men. 1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 47 'Tis morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay. 1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxvi. 446 Lavender knew well what prompted these scornful comments on Borva. 1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iv, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 198 The reasons that prompt this policy new. 1927 A. Conan Doyle Case-bk. Sherlock Holmes 65 He should recognize that your action is prompted entirely by solicitude for his son. 1954 G. Greene End of Affair ii. ii. 67 That devil in my brain prompted the thought that the waste of those three hours meant nothing at all to her. 1994 Times 1 Nov. 6/2 The incident prompted renewed demands for stricter controls on East European ‘rustbuckets’. †b. transitive. With direct and indirect object. Obsolete. ΚΠ a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. ii. 55 Not..by'th'matter Which your heart prompts you. View more context for this quotation 1632 T. Hawkins tr. P. Matthieu Vnhappy Prosperitie 101 Nature so unworthily outraged, prompted him these imprecations. a1668 W. Davenant Fair Favorite iii, in Wks. (1673) 98 Happy wert thou in thy ignorance, Could not thy guilt soon prompt thee how to know What I am weary to express. Derivatives ˈprompted adj. ΚΠ 1598 G. Chapman in C. Marlowe & G. Chapman Hero & Leander (new ed.) sig. G3^v Then said her Cupid prompted spirit; shall I Sing mones to such delightsome harmony?] 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. ii. 178 With more clamour..shall my prompted sword, falling on Diomed. View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 12 Inspire, As thou art wont, my prompted Song. View more context for this quotation 1820 J. A. Heraud Legend St. Loy 192 The vast profusion..That..makes the wondering gazer, undesigned, A prompted Poet. 1908 H. James Portrait of Lady (rev. ed.) II. xxxiii. 58 Their prompted talk was naturally of his health. 1993 Brit. Med. Jrnl. (BNC) 6 Mar. 628 All the optometrists reported that they had dilated the pupils of the prompted patients. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.¹c1425n.²1597adj.adv.?a1425v.1428
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† promptn.1

promptn.2

Compounds

promptadj.adv.

Compounds

promptv.

Derivatives

† promptn.¹

promptn.²