Hypertext Webster Gateway: "expedient"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Expedient \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
expedient
adj 1: serving to promote your interest; "was merciful only when
mercy was expedient" [ant: {inexpedient}]
2: appropriate to a purpose; practical; "in the circumstances
it was expedient to express loyalty"
n : a means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical
one
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