Expedient
/ɪkˈspiː.di.ənt/noun
Suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose, often implying a pragmatic or convenient choice.
Did you know?The term 'expedient' can be traced back to ancient discussions on moral philosophy, where it often represented the tension between practicality and ethics.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
expedīre
“To free the feet, to prepare or make ready.”
Old French
Old French
expedient
“A term adopted to describe something that is suitable or advantageous.”
14th Century
Middle English
expedient
“Used to denote actions taken for practical reasons.”
Modern English
English
expedient
“Refers to actions taken that are convenient and practical, often at the expense of ethics.”
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