As an adjective, prompt means done quickly and without delay. As a verb, to prompt someone is to encourage or remind them to do or say something. As a noun, a prompt is a cue or signal to act or speak.
From Latin *promptus* 'ready, quick', from *promere* 'to bring forth' (*pro-* 'forth' + *emere* 'to take'). It was about having something ready to bring out immediately.
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