prompt

verb

• 1(of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling):the violence prompted a wave of refugees to flee the country
• (prompt someone to/to do something) cause someone to take a course of action:curiosity prompted him to look inside

• 2encourage (a hesitating speaker) to say something: [with direct speech]:‘And the picture?’ he prompted
• supply a forgotten word or line to (an actor) during the performance of a play.
• Computing (of a computer) request input from (a user): the online form prompts users for data

noun

• 1an act of encouraging a hesitating speaker:with barely a prompt, Barbara talked on
• a word or phrase spoken as a reminder to an actor of a forgotten word or line.
• another term for prompter.
• Computing a word or symbol on a screen to show that the system is waiting for input.

• 2the time limit for the payment of an account, stated on a prompt note.

adjective

• done without delay; immediate:she would have died but for the prompt action of two ambulancemen
• (of a person) acting without delay:the fans were prompt in complying with police requests
• (of goods) for immediate delivery and payment.

adverb

• exactly (with reference to a specified time):I set off at three-thirty prompt