Search the Dictionary

That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object. By motive, I mean the whole of that which moves, excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether that be one thing singly, or many things conjunctively. J. Edwards.

ing of poetic numbers; rhythmical; measured and counted; melodious; musical. [Obs.] Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips, in prose or numerous verse. Milton. -- Nu"mer*ous*ly, adv. -- Nu"mer*ous*ness, n.

Promptly obedient, or submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of another; devoted. [Obs.] His servants weeping, Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither. Addison.

Practiced under the pretext of religion; prompted by mistaken piety; as, pious errors; pious frauds.

ins of Indian corn; as, to pop corn or chestnuts. To pop off, to thrust away, or put off promptly; as, to pop one off with a denial. Locke. -- To pop the question, to make an offer of marriage to a lady. [Colloq.] Dickens.

Affording entrance; receptive; yielding; willing; open; prompt. [Obs.] " Pregnant to good pity." Shak.

acon. -- Presence of mind, that state of the mind in which all its faculties are alert, prompt, and acting harmoniously in obedience to the will, enabling one to reach, as it were spontaneously or by intuition, just conclusions in sudden emergencies.

Ready; prompt; prepared. [Obs.] All prest to such battle he was. R. of Gloucester.

Appearing or done at, or adhering exactly to, a regular or an appointed time; precise; prompt; as, a punctual man; a punctual payment. "The race of the undeviating and punctual sun." Cowper. These sharp strokes [of a pendulum], with their inexorably steady intersections, so agree with our successive thoughts that they…

In a punctual manner; promptly; exactly.

To ask questions; to make inquiry. Each prompt to query, answer, and debate. Pope.

In a quick manner; quickly; promptly; rapidly; with haste; speedily; without delay; as, run quick; get back quick. If we consider how very quick the actions of the mind are performed. Locke.

To spring; to leap; to bound; to rear; to prance; to become rampant; hence, to frolic; to romp.

A wild, romping young person. [Low] Marrya

In a ready manner; quickly; promptly. Chaucer.

The state or quality of being ready; preparation; promptness; aptitude; willingness. They received the word with all readiness of mind. Acts xvii. 11.

Not slow or hesitating; quick in action or perception of any kind; dexterous; prompt; easy; expert; as, a ready apprehension; ready wit; a ready writer or workman. "Ready in devising expedients." Macaulay. Gurth, whose temper was ready, through surly. Sir W. Scott.

To lift and take up. [Obs. or R.] And having her from Trompart lightly reared, Upon his set the lovely load. Spenser.

Not energetic or exact in duty or business; not careful or prompt in fulfilling engagements; negligent; careless; tardy; behindhand; lagging; slack; hence, lacking earnestness or activity; languid; slow. Thou never wast remiss, I bear thee witness. Milton. These nervous, bold; those languid and remiss. Roscommon. Its m…

A romp; a wanton; one given to unbecoming conduct. [Obs.] Fuller.