expedient

expedient
I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin expedient-, expendiens, present participle of expedire to extricate, prepare, be useful, from ex- + ped-, pes foot — more at foot Date: 14th century 1. suitable for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance 2. characterized by concern with what is opportune; especially governed by self-interest • expediently adverb Synonyms: expedient, politic, advisable mean dictated by practical or prudent motives. expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles <
a politically expedient decision
>
. politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity <
a politic show of interest
>
. advisable applies to what is practical, prudent, or advantageous but lacks the derogatory implication of expedient and politic <
sometimes it's advisable to say nothing
>
. II. noun Date: 1630 something expedient ; a temporary means to an end Synonyms: see resource

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • expédient — 1. (èk spé di an) adj. m. Qui expédie, facilite, profite. Il était expédient de faire cela. •   Vous seul [Dieu] savez ce qui m est expédient, vous êtes le souverain maître, faites ce que vous voudrez, PASC. Prière pour l us. des maladies. •   Ne …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • expedient — adj Expedient, politic, advisable are comparable when they are used to imply a choice (as of course, action, or method) and to mean dictated by practical wisdom or by motives of prudence. Something is expedient from which definite and usually… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • expedient — EXPEDIÉNT, expediente, s.n. Mijloc ingenios cu ajutorul căruia se poate face faţă unei situaţii grele; p. ext. mijloc improvizat, adesea ilicit, prin care se procură bani. [pr.: di ent] – Din fr. expédient. Trimis de claudia, 13.09.2007. Sursa:… …   Dicționar Român

  • expedient — Ⅰ. expedient UK US /ɪkˈspiːdiənt/ adjective FORMAL ► helpful or useful in the situation that now exists, although perhaps not the right thing to do morally or for the future: it is expedient to do sth »It might be expedient not to pay him until… …   Financial and business terms

  • Expedient — Ex*pe di*enta. [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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • expedient — Expedient. s. m. Moyen, invention de terminer une affaire. Trouvez moy quelque expedient. c est un homme d expedient. proposer des expedients. On dit. Il est expedient, pour dire, Il est à propos, il est necessaire. Il est expedient de faire cela …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Expedient — Ex*pe di*ent, n. 1. That which serves to promote or advance; suitable means to accomplish an end. [1913 Webster] What sure expedient than shall Juno find, To calm her fears and ease her boding mind? Philips. [1913 Webster] 2. Means devised in an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • expedient — (adj.) late 14c., advantageous, fit, proper, from O.Fr. expedient (14c.) or directly from L. expedientem (nom. expediens) beneficial, prp. of expedire make fit or ready, prepare (see EXPEDITE (Cf. expedite)). The noun meaning a device adopted in… …   Etymology dictionary

  • expedient — [adj] worthwhile, appropriate ad hoc, advantageous, advisable, beneficial, convenient, desirable, discreet, effective, feasible, fit, fitting, helpful, judicious, meet, opportune, politic, possible, practicable, practical, pragmatic, profitable,… …   New thesaurus

  • expedient — [ek spē′dē ənt, ikspē′dē ənt] adj. [ME < OFr < L expediens, prp. of expedire: see EXPEDITE] 1. useful for effecting a desired result; suited to the circumstances or the occasion; advantageous; convenient 2. based on or offering what is of… …   English World dictionary

  • expedient — I noun agency, alternative, apparatus, appliance, arrangement, artifice, auxiliary, campaign, consilium, contributing force, contrivance, convenience, course, design, device, equipment, formula, implement, instrument, invention, machina,… …   Law dictionary

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