Ex*pe"di*ent , n.
1. That which serves to promote or advance; suitable means to accomplish an end.
What sure expedient than shall Juno find,
To calm her fears and ease her
boding mind?
Philips. 2. Means devised in an exigency; shift.
Syn. -- Shift; contrivance; resource;
substitute.
Ex*pe"di*ent (?) a. [L. expediens, -entis, p.
pr. of expedire to be expedient, release, extricate: cf. F. expédient. See Expedite.]
1. Hastening
or forward; hence, tending to further or promote a proposed object; fit or proper under the circumstances; conducive to self-interest; desirable; advisable; advantageous; -- sometimes contradistinguished from right.
It is expedient for you that I go away.
John xvi. 7. Nothing but the right can
ever be expedient, since that can never be true
expediency which would sacrifice a greater good to a less.
Whately.
2. Quick; expeditious. [Obs.]
His marches are expedient to this town.
Shak.
Hear it pronounced