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.