Expedient \Ex*pe"di*ent\a. [L. expediens, -entis, p. pr. of
expedire to be expedient, release, extricate: cf. F.
exp['e]dient. 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |