expedient

/ik-ˈspē-dē-ənt/

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

adjective

  1. suitable for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance

  2. characterized by concern with what is opportune; especially : governed by self-interest

expedient politic advisable mean dictated by practical or prudent motives. expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles. politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity.

noun

  1. something done or used to achieve a particular end usually quickly or temporarily : an expedient action or solution

resource resort expedient shift makeshift stopgap mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply. resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon. expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.