pos>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 or principled. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is expedient for you that I go away. John xvi. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Quick; expeditious. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His marches are expedient to this town. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 exigency; shift.

Syn. -- Shift; contrivance; resource; substitute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Governed by expediency; seeking advantage; as an expediential policy. “Calculating, expediential understanding.” Hare. -- Ex*pe`di*en"tial*ly , adv. Fitzed. Hall [1913 Webster]

pos>adv. 1. In an expedient manner; fitly; suitably; conveniently. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. With expedition; quickly. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not expedient; not tending to promote a purpose; not tending to the end desired; inadvisable; unfit; improper; unsuitable to time and place; as, what is expedient at one time may be inexpedient at another. [ 1913 Webster ]

If it was not unlawful, yet it was highly inexpedient to use those ceremonies. Bp. Burnet.

Syn. -- Unwise; impolitic; imprudent; indiscreet; unprofitable; inadvisable; disadvantageous. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Not expediently; unfitly. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Inexpedient. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]