Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Expedient

Expedient , adjective

[Latin expediens, -entis, present participle of expedire to be expedient, release, extricate: compare French 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.
It is expedient for you that I go away. — John xvi. 7
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
2.
Quick; expeditious. [Obsolete]
His marches are expedient to this town. — Shakespeare

Expedient , noun

1.
That which serves to promote or advance; suitable means to accomplish an end.
What sure expedient than shall Juno find, To calm her fears and ease her boding mind? — Philips
2.
Means devised in an exigency; shift.