expedientadj.n.

Brit.

/ᵻkˈspiːdɪənt/,

/ɛkˈspiːdɪənt/, U.S.

/ɪkˈspidiənt/,

/ɛkˈspidiənt/

Forms: Middle English exspedyent, Middle English–1500s expedyent(e, 1500s expediente, ( expedien), Middle English– expedient.

Etymology: < French expédient, < Latin expedient-em , present participle of expedīre : see expedite v. In sense A. 2 the modern adjective follows the sense of the Latin verb ‘to forward matters, be helpful or serviceable’, a development from the sense represented by expedite v. 2.

A. adj.

I. Senses relating to speed or agility.

†1.

a. Hasty, ‘expeditious’, speedy. Also, of a march: Direct. Obsolete. Cf. expedite adj. 4.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > acting expeditiously (of persons)

rapec1410

expedientc1485

sudden1591

expeditiousa1616

dispatchful1642

c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) iii. 817 In ower weyys we be expedyent.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II i. iv. 38 Expedient mannage must be made my liege.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. ii. 204 I will with all expedient dutie see you.

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 60 His marches are expedient to this towne.

†b. quasi-adv. Nimbly, skilfully. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adverb] > with physical skill

listlyc1000

featouslya1375

featlyc1400

deftlya1500

expedient1509

deliverly1530

handsomely1530

courteouslya1533

neatlya1547

dexteriously1605

cleverly1614

featilya1640

dexterously1646

deft1805

neat1822

handily1832

as neat (also nice, right, etc.) as ninepence1857

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xvi. ii Musyke, the lady excellent, Played on base organs expedient.

II. Senses relating to advantage or suitability.

2. Conducive to advantage in general, or to a definite purpose; fit, proper, or suitable to the circumstances of the case. Const. for, †to.

a. as predicate or complement, often with subject it, and followed by infinitive phrase or noun-sentence.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > [adjective]

expedientc1430

expedientialc1850

c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) iii. xii. 85 a To their noblesse..Nothing in earth was more expedient.

1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) xix. xxi. sig. II.iij^v/2 It is not expedient and spedeful [a1398 BL Add. it spedeth nought] in this werke to reherce alle the causes of wanne colour.

?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. Aviij^v Those thyngis to knowe for me be full expedient.

1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Publyke Baptisme f. i* It is expediente that Baptisme be ministred in the Englishe tounge.

1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health cxiii. 101 [Pomegranates] that are soure be more expedient and wholsome.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xvii. 86 What he thinks expedient for the common benefit.

1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age ii. i. xviii. 217 That nothing could be more expedient to the safety of the common-wealth, than to bring him to the Bar of justice.

1793 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) IV. 29 The President thought it expedient..to remind our fellow-citizens that we were in a state of peace.

1799 H. Davy in T. Beddoes Contrib. Physical & Med. Knowl. 227 These, if not necessary to the existence of vegetables, may be expedient to their flourishing state.

1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iii. xlii. 160 Alterations..become expedient from time to time.

1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation ii. vi. 270 It may..be expedient..that roads should be constructed.

b. qualifying a noun.

ΚΠ

1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 4 An expedient liberty and truth.

1677 A. Marvell Let. 24 Mar. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 191 To propound some expedient proposalls.

1806 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 4 885 The most expedient settlements for a trading country.

1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. xviii. 127 The most expedient measures.

1891 F. Hall in Nation (N.Y.) 53 447/3 Its [the word gotten] expedient disappearance from Matthew xi.

3. In depreciative sense, ‘useful’ or ‘politic’ as opposed to ‘just’ or ‘right’. Often absol.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > expedience > [adjective]

expedient1774

opportune1853

1774 O. Goldsmith Retaliation 40 Too fond of the right to pursue the expedient.

1861 J. S. Mill Utilitarianism ii. 32 The expedient, in the sense in which it is opposed to the Right, generally means that which is expedient for the particular interest of the agent himself.

4. Studious of ‘expediency’.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > prudence, discretion > [adjective]

warec888

wiseOE

adviseda1325

witty1340

prudenta1382

thoughtfula1400

wisea1400

well-advisedc1405

visablea1450

canny1581

judicious1598

serious-minded1694

expedient1828

far-seeing1837

1828 L. Hunt Ld. Byron & Some Contemp. I. 304 Triflers with their hourly word for gain; expedient statesmen.

B. n.

†1.

a. Something that helps forward, or that conduces to an object; a means to an end. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > (a) means

keyOE

toolc1000

wherewithc1230

ministerc1380

meanc1390

instrumenta1425

organ?a1425

mesne1447

moyen1449

handlec1450

hackneya1500

receipta1500

operative1526

ingine1531

appliance1555

agent1579

matter1580

mids1581

wedge1581

wherewithal1583

shoeing-horn1587

engine1589

instrumental1598

Roaring Meg1598

procurement1601

organy1605

vehicle1615

vehiculuma1617

executioner1646

facility1652

operatory1660

instrumentality1663

expedient1665

agency1684

bladea1713

mechanic1924

mechanism1924

1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. iv. viii. sig. Dd4^v Employing the Methods and Expedients afforded us by Reason.

1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety vii. 150 God..does not project for our sorrow, but our innocence; and would never have invited us to the one, but as an expedient to the other.

†b. A medium or means of reconciliation. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [noun] > means of

expedienta1661

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Cumb. 217 I know not how to reconcile this rhyme, with another which I meet with in the same Author..But in order of an expedient betwixt them [etc.].

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Hants. 1 The earth..may pass for an Expedient betwixt Pleasure and Profit.

2. A contrivance or device adopted for attaining an end; a resource, ‘shift’.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > (a) means > available means or a resource > a device, contrivance, or expedient

costOE

craftOE

custc1275

ginc1275

devicec1290

enginec1300

quaintisec1300

contrevurec1330

castc1340

knackc1369

findinga1382

wilea1400

conject14..

skiftc1400

policy?1406

subtilityc1410

policec1450

conjecturea1464

industry1477

invention1516

cunning1526

shift1530

compass1540

chevisance1548

trade1550

tour1558

fashion1562

invent?1567

expediment1571

trick1573

ingeny1588

machine1595

lock1598

contrival1602

contrivement1611

artifice1620

recipea1643

ingenuity1651

expedient1653

contrivance1661

excogitation1664

mechanism1669

expediency1683

stroke1699

spell1728

management1736

manoeuvre1769

move1794

wrinkle1817

dodge1842

jigamaree1847

quiff1881

kink1889

lurk1916

gadget1920

fastie1931

ploy1940

1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures iv. 9 As for us seven Portugals..we could find out no better expedient to save our lives, then to return.

1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel xi. 240 Finding out expedients..for shifting from one to another all personal Punishments.

1719 G. London & H. Wise J. de la Quintinie's Compl. Gard'ner (ed. 7) iv. 325 By the same expedient of Hotbeds we may also raise in..cold Weather, little Sallads.

1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 37 The wretched expedients to which the orthodox..had recourse.

1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vi. §6. 328 When every expedient had been exhausted by Norfolk..Cromwell came again to the front.

3. Combination expedient-monger.

ΚΠ

1656 J. Harrington Common-wealth of Oceana 143 Their Counsellours..are expedient-mongers.

a1745 J. Swift in R. P. Jodrell Philol. Eng. Lang. Expedient~mongers shake their heads.

Derivatives

exˈpedientness n. fitness, convenientness.

ΚΠ

1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Expedientness,..Fitness, Convenientness.

1775 in J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	expedient
释义	expedientadj.n. Brit. /ᵻkˈspiːdɪənt/, /ɛkˈspiːdɪənt/, U.S. /ɪkˈspidiənt/, /ɛkˈspidiənt/ Forms: Middle English exspedyent, Middle English–1500s expedyent(e, 1500s expediente, ( expedien), Middle English– expedient. Etymology: < French expédient, < Latin expedient-em , present participle of expedīre : see expedite v. In sense A. 2 the modern adjective follows the sense of the Latin verb ‘to forward matters, be helpful or serviceable’, a development from the sense represented by expedite v. 2. A. adj. I. Senses relating to speed or agility. †1. a. Hasty, ‘expeditious’, speedy. Also, of a march: Direct. Obsolete. Cf. expedite adj. 4. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > acting expeditiously (of persons) rapec1410 expedientc1485 sudden1591 expeditiousa1616 dispatchful1642 c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) iii. 817 In ower weyys we be expedyent. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II i. iv. 38 Expedient mannage must be made my liege. View more context for this quotation 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. ii. 204 I will with all expedient dutie see you. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 60 His marches are expedient to this towne. View more context for this quotation †b. quasi-adv. Nimbly, skilfully. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adverb] > with physical skill listlyc1000 featouslya1375 featlyc1400 deftlya1500 expedient1509 deliverly1530 handsomely1530 courteouslya1533 neatlya1547 dexteriously1605 cleverly1614 featilya1640 dexterously1646 deft1805 neat1822 handily1832 as neat (also nice, right, etc.) as ninepence1857 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xvi. ii Musyke, the lady excellent, Played on base organs expedient. II. Senses relating to advantage or suitability. 2. Conducive to advantage in general, or to a definite purpose; fit, proper, or suitable to the circumstances of the case. Const. for, †to. a. as predicate or complement, often with subject it, and followed by infinitive phrase or noun-sentence. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > [adjective] expedientc1430 expedientialc1850 c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) iii. xii. 85 a To their noblesse..Nothing in earth was more expedient. 1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) xix. xxi. sig. II.iij^v/2 It is not expedient and spedeful [a1398 BL Add. it spedeth nought] in this werke to reherce alle the causes of wanne colour. ?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. Aviij^v Those thyngis to knowe for me be full expedient. 1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Publyke Baptisme f. i* It is expediente that Baptisme be ministred in the Englishe tounge. 1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health cxiii. 101 [Pomegranates] that are soure be more expedient and wholsome. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xvii. 86 What he thinks expedient for the common benefit. 1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age ii. i. xviii. 217 That nothing could be more expedient to the safety of the common-wealth, than to bring him to the Bar of justice. 1793 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) IV. 29 The President thought it expedient..to remind our fellow-citizens that we were in a state of peace. 1799 H. Davy in T. Beddoes Contrib. Physical & Med. Knowl. 227 These, if not necessary to the existence of vegetables, may be expedient to their flourishing state. 1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iii. xlii. 160 Alterations..become expedient from time to time. 1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation ii. vi. 270 It may..be expedient..that roads should be constructed. b. qualifying a noun. ΚΠ 1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 4 An expedient liberty and truth. 1677 A. Marvell Let. 24 Mar. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 191 To propound some expedient proposalls. 1806 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 4 885 The most expedient settlements for a trading country. 1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. xviii. 127 The most expedient measures. 1891 F. Hall in Nation (N.Y.) 53 447/3 Its [the word gotten] expedient disappearance from Matthew xi. 3. In depreciative sense, ‘useful’ or ‘politic’ as opposed to ‘just’ or ‘right’. Often absol. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > expedience > [adjective] expedient1774 opportune1853 1774 O. Goldsmith Retaliation 40 Too fond of the right to pursue the expedient. 1861 J. S. Mill Utilitarianism ii. 32 The expedient, in the sense in which it is opposed to the Right, generally means that which is expedient for the particular interest of the agent himself. 4. Studious of ‘expediency’. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > prudence, discretion > [adjective] warec888 wiseOE adviseda1325 witty1340 prudenta1382 thoughtfula1400 wisea1400 well-advisedc1405 visablea1450 canny1581 judicious1598 serious-minded1694 expedient1828 far-seeing1837 1828 L. Hunt Ld. Byron & Some Contemp. I. 304 Triflers with their hourly word for gain; expedient statesmen. B. n. †1. a. Something that helps forward, or that conduces to an object; a means to an end. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > (a) means keyOE toolc1000 wherewithc1230 ministerc1380 meanc1390 instrumenta1425 organ?a1425 mesne1447 moyen1449 handlec1450 hackneya1500 receipta1500 operative1526 ingine1531 appliance1555 agent1579 matter1580 mids1581 wedge1581 wherewithal1583 shoeing-horn1587 engine1589 instrumental1598 Roaring Meg1598 procurement1601 organy1605 vehicle1615 vehiculuma1617 executioner1646 facility1652 operatory1660 instrumentality1663 expedient1665 agency1684 bladea1713 mechanic1924 mechanism1924 1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. iv. viii. sig. Dd4^v Employing the Methods and Expedients afforded us by Reason. 1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety vii. 150 God..does not project for our sorrow, but our innocence; and would never have invited us to the one, but as an expedient to the other. †b. A medium or means of reconciliation. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [noun] > means of expedienta1661 a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Cumb. 217 I know not how to reconcile this rhyme, with another which I meet with in the same Author..But in order of an expedient betwixt them [etc.]. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Hants. 1 The earth..may pass for an Expedient betwixt Pleasure and Profit. 2. A contrivance or device adopted for attaining an end; a resource, ‘shift’. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > (a) means > available means or a resource > a device, contrivance, or expedient costOE craftOE custc1275 ginc1275 devicec1290 enginec1300 quaintisec1300 contrevurec1330 castc1340 knackc1369 findinga1382 wilea1400 conject14.. skiftc1400 policy?1406 subtilityc1410 policec1450 conjecturea1464 industry1477 invention1516 cunning1526 shift1530 compass1540 chevisance1548 trade1550 tour1558 fashion1562 invent?1567 expediment1571 trick1573 ingeny1588 machine1595 lock1598 contrival1602 contrivement1611 artifice1620 recipea1643 ingenuity1651 expedient1653 contrivance1661 excogitation1664 mechanism1669 expediency1683 stroke1699 spell1728 management1736 manoeuvre1769 move1794 wrinkle1817 dodge1842 jigamaree1847 quiff1881 kink1889 lurk1916 gadget1920 fastie1931 ploy1940 1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures iv. 9 As for us seven Portugals..we could find out no better expedient to save our lives, then to return. 1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel xi. 240 Finding out expedients..for shifting from one to another all personal Punishments. 1719 G. London & H. Wise J. de la Quintinie's Compl. Gard'ner (ed. 7) iv. 325 By the same expedient of Hotbeds we may also raise in..cold Weather, little Sallads. 1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 37 The wretched expedients to which the orthodox..had recourse. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vi. §6. 328 When every expedient had been exhausted by Norfolk..Cromwell came again to the front. 3. Combination expedient-monger. ΚΠ 1656 J. Harrington Common-wealth of Oceana 143 Their Counsellours..are expedient-mongers. a1745 J. Swift in R. P. Jodrell Philol. Eng. Lang. Expedient~mongers shake their heads. Derivatives exˈpedientness n. fitness, convenientness. ΚΠ 1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Expedientness,..Fitness, Convenientness. 1775 in J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adj.n.c1430
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