prompt

Where does the word "prompt" come from? It comes from Latin promptus, passing through French before entering English (1400s).

Prompt’s story begins in Latin: promptus meant “ready.” From 'promere', to bring forth. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in French as prompt. Latin 'promptus' meant brought forth, from 'promere'; the theatrical sense of feeding an actor lines dates from the 1670s. It reached English by 1400s as prompt. Theatre 'prompters' date from the 1600s. Today, prompt means done without delay; to cause.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient promptus "ready", from 'promere', to bring forth.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1400s prompt "ready", Latin 'promptus' meant brought forth, from 'promere'; the theatrical sense of feeding an actor lines dates from the 1670s.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s prompt "ready", theatre 'prompters' date from the 1600s.