Prompt (?; 215), a. [Compar. Prompter (?); superl. Promptest.] [F. prompt, L. promptus, properly, brought forth (to light or view), hence, visible, evident, at hand, ready, quick, -- p. p. of promere to take or bring forth; pro forth + emere to take. See Redeem. ]
1. Ready and quick to act as occasion demands; meeting requirements readily; not slow, dilatory, or hesitating in decision or action; responding on the instant; immediate; as, prompt in obedience or compliance; -- said of persons.
Very discerning and prompt in giving orders.
Clarendon.
Tell him I am prompt
To lay my crown at's feet.
Shak.
Any you, perhaps, too prompt in your replies.
Dryden.
2. Done or rendered quickly, readily, or immediately; given without delay or hesitation; -- said of conduct; as, prompt assistance.
When Washington heard the voice of his country in distress,
his obedience was prompt.
Ames.
3. Easy; unobstructed. [Obs.]
The reception of the light into the body of the building was very prompt.
Sir H. Wotton.
Syn. -- Ready; expeditious; quick; agile; alert; brisk; nimble. -- Prompt, Ready, Expeditious. One who is ready is prepared to act at the moment. One who is prompt acts at the moment. One who is expeditious carries through an undertaking with constant promptness.
© Webster 1913.
Prompt, n. Com. A limit of time given for payment of an account for produce purchased, this limit varying with different goods. See Prompt-note.
To cover any probable difference of price which might arise before the expiration of the prompt, which for this article [tea] is three months.
J. S. Mill.
© Webster 1913.
Prompt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prompted; p. pr. & vb. n. Prompting.]
1. To assist or induce the action of; to move to action; to instigate; to incite.
God first . . . prompted on the infirmities of the infant world by temporal prosperity.
Jer. Taylor.
2. To suggest; to dictate.
And whispering angles prompt her golden dreams.
Pope.
3. To remind, as an actor or an orator, of words or topics forgotten.
© Webster 1913. | 
