Middle English Dictionary Entry
prompt(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | prompt(e adj. Also (error) prompit. |
| Etymology | OF pront, prompt & L promptus, ppl. of prōmere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Ready; prepared (to do sth.); ~ in, ready with (counsel or advice); ~ into, ready or eager for (sth.); ~ unto, prone to (certain activity); (b) disposed; ~ ayen, disposed against (a country), opposed to; (c) ~ of minde, mentally alert.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.31/17 : For as moche as the bygynnyngis of grete thyngis nedith gretter helpe thanne most, [he] was prompte.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.41/7 : He..yn-to the seruyce of the modir of God, made them moore prompte and feruent.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)547 : Alle men bi her natural freelnes ben redi and prompte into gaynes of aray.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)267/4 : Salomon conceyved not þe cause of synfull lyvynge of a ȝonge man; I mene, why a ȝonge man is prompt vn-to vicious lyvynge.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)131.387 (v.2:p.350) : Seynt Dominic .. on daylyht with hys brethyrn .. no man was more comoun than he; in the nyth hourys in vigilis .., no man was more prompit [read: prompt; L instantior] ner more diligent.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.377 : Men of that nacion be more impaciente..and prompte to take vengeaunce.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.61 : Carausius..prompte [L promptus] in cownsel, obteynede of the senate that he myȝhte kepe the costes of the see of Briteyn.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1102 : Suche oone in practice prompte shal neuir be.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)83a/a : Som [ulcers] ar prompte or redy for to suffre whatsomeuer bi cause of sone helyng.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)470 : The Scottes..sende to the kynge..with whom thei be prompte ageyne the realme of Ynglonde.
c
- c1525 Rule & T.St.Francis(2) (Fst D.4)574 : No man shalbe resceived to the Ordre but..he be prompte of mynde.