Prompt

(prōmt, 84), a. [compar. PROMPTER; superl. PROMPTEST.] [Fr. prompt, It. & Sp. pronto, Lat. promptus, properly, brought to light, exposed to view, hence, visible, evident, at hand, ready, quick, p. p. of promere, to take or bring out or forth, from pro, forth, and emere, to take.]

1Sense 1. Ready and quick to act as occasion demands; acting with cheerful alacrity; as, prompt in obedience or compliance; —said of persons.

Very discerning and prompt in giving orders. Clarendon.

Tell him I'm prompt to lay my crown at's feet. Shak.

And you, perhaps, too prompt in your replies. Dryden.

2Sense 2. Quickly, readily, or cheerfully performed; —said of conduct; as, prompt obedience; prompt assistance.

When Washington heard the voice of his country in distress, his obedience was prompt. Ames.

3Sense 3. Ever present. [Obs.]

For all deities are Prompt in each other's knowledge. Chapman.

4Sense 4. Easy; unobstructed. [Obs.]

The reception of the light into the body of the building was very prompt. Wotton.

Synonyms—Ready; expeditious; quick; agile; alert; brisk; nimble.—PROMPT, READY, EXPEDITIOUS. One who is ready is prepared at the moment. One who is prompt is prepared beforehand, so as to start at the moment into decisive action. One who is expeditious carries through an undertaking with a steady, rapid progress.

Satan ready now To stoop with wearied wings and willing feet On this world. Milton.

To the stern sanction of the offended sky My prompt obedience bows. Pope.

I apprehend it as a safest course, And may be easily accomplished; Let us be all most expeditious. Masinger.

n. (Com.) A limit of time given for payment of an account for produce purchased, this limit varying with different goods. Simmonds.

Speculators . . . are required to pay £2 per chest, 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.