1. In computer science, a symbol or message that appears on the computer screen to indicate that the computer is ready to receive a command or which requests action from the user; such as, "Enter Password" or "Press the Button to Continue".
2. Something that is done at once and without delay.
3. Being ready, punctual, or quick to act.
4. Etymology: from the mid-14th century, from Old French prompt, which came from Latin promptus, "brought forth, at hand, ready, quick"; from promere, "to bring forth"; from pro-, "forward" + emere, "to take".

1. To cause someone to act or to make a person decide to do something: "Fortunately, she was prompted to change her mind about going on the trip."
2. To cause something to happen.
3. To provide actors during a performance with words or lines they have forgotten: "The actor had to be prompted often in the first scene of the play."
4. To indicate or to suggest something which a person should say, or to give a reminder to a speaker.
5. Etymology: from Latin promptus, literally, "brought forth", and so, "visible, apparent, evident, manifest" from the past participle of promere, "to take or to bring out or forth"; from pro-emere, from pro-, "before, forward + emere, "to take".