| 释义 |
prompt
I. \ˈpräm(p)t\ transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English prompten, from Medieval Latin promptare, from Latin promptus prompt
1. : to move to action : incite, provoke
< prompted by curiosity to open the closet >
< his wife prompted him to ask for a transfer to a new job >
2. : to remind (one acting or reciting) of words or topics forgotten : assist by suggesting or uttering the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned : give a cue to
3. : to serve as the inciting cause of (an act or thought) : urge, suggest
< the answer shown by the … bank and turn indicator instead of the answer prompted by his senses — H.G.Armstrong >
< prompts the question: has the danger of a severe recession passed — S.H.Slichter >
II. adjective
(-er/-est)
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French prompt, from Latin promptus visible, ready, prompt, from past participle of promere to bring forth, take out, from pro- forth + emere to take, buy — more at pro-, redeem
1. : ready and quick to act as occasion demands : responding instantly : alert
< prompt to retort to insults >
< prompt in obedience >
2. : performed readily or immediately : given without delay or hesitation
< prompt assistance >
< prompt decisions >
< prompt payment of bills >
< prompt delivery of goods >
3. : of or relating to prompting actors
< as the young actor bowed and withdrew to the prompt corner — Laurence Irving >
Synonyms: see quick
III. adverb
: on time : punctually
IV. noun
(-s)
Etymology: in sense 1, from prompt (I); in sense 2, from prompt (II)
1. : the act or an instance of prompting or reminding : reminder
< so regularly performed that there was no need of written prompts — Iona & Peter Opie >
2. : a limit of time usually equaling the free credit period given for payment of an account for goods purchased; also : the contract by which this time is fixed
3. : prompt side
V. noun
: a symbol or message on a computer display signaling that the computer is awaiting input |