expediencen.
/ᵻkˈspiːdɪəns/, /ɛkˈspiːdɪəns/, U.S. /ɪkˈspidiəns/, /ɛkˈspidiəns/ a. Haste, speed, dispatch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [noun] > expedition or dispatch
speedOE
diligence1490
expedition1529
dispatch1570
expedience1597
urgence1612
navity1623
expediteness1635
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. i. 289 Eight tall shippes, three thousand men of warre, Are making hither with all due expedience . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iv. iii. 70 The French.. will with all expedience charge on vs. View more context for this quotation
b. That which requires speed; an enterprise, expedition. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > [noun] > an undertaking > bold or chivalrous
adventurec1300
emprisea1400
exploitc1425
enterprise1442
chevisance1579
peradventure1584
expedience1598
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. i. 33 In forwarding this deere expedience . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) i. ii 170 I shall breake The cause of our Expedience to the Queene. View more context for this quotation
2. = expediency n. 1 ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > [noun]
policyc1440
policec1450
commodity1582
expediency1612
expedience1619
1619 W. Sclater Expos. 1 Thess. (1630) 577 Those expediences, which the Lord hath reuealed himselfe willing to make knowne.
1638 W. Chillingworth Relig. Protestants i vi. §50 The lawfulnesse and expedience of Latine Service.
a1714 J. Sharp Serm. (1754) I. vii. 184 The expedience of actions; that is to say, whether it be best and fittest for a man to do them or no.
1781 W. Cowper Let. 27 Nov. (1979) I. 546 I have doubts about the expedience of mentioning the Subject on which that paragraph is written.
1804 Duke of Wellington in Marquess Wellesley Select. Despatches (1877) 432 The expedience of admitting the Peishwa to a participation in our late conquests.
3. = expediency n. 2 plural. Interested motives or considerations.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > expedience > [noun]
expedience1608
expediency1618
opportunism1870
ad hocness1907
1608 Bp. J. Hall Characters Vertues & Vices i. 13 Iustice is his [sc. the honest man's] first Guide; the second law of his actions is expedience.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 253 Expedience may operate to continue the privilege.
1834 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. (1837) I. xxiv. 365 They have sacrificed Truth to expedience.
1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold II. vi. v. 112 Expediencies began to dim to his conscience the healthful loveliness of Truth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1597