Definition of the word prompt

The word "prompt" has its roots in the Old French word "proempt," which means "to snatch or seize." This term was later adopted into Middle English, where it took on the meaning "to incite or provoke." In the 14th century, the word "prompt" began to be used to describe a cue or signal that triggers a response, such as a prompter's handkerchief in a theater to cue an actor's next line. Over time, the meaning of "prompt" expanded to include the idea of something that initiates or inspires action, such as a prompt to take a specific course of action. Today, the word is commonly used in various contexts, including language learning, writing, and even dialogue in films and television shows.