expedience
UK[ɪkˈspiːdiəns]US[ɪkˈspiːdiəns]
n
The quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral; expediency.
n
An expedient.
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
ped
ience
ex
out
ped
foot
ience
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'expedience' originates from the Latin verb 'expedire,' meaning "to extricate, make ready, or put in order." This verb itself is a compound of 'ex-' ("out") and 'pes, pedis' ("foot"), literally conveying the idea of freeing one's feet from an entanglement, such as a snare or shackles. From this concrete sense of liberation and preparation for action, the meaning broadened to signify the quality of being suitable for achieving a particular end, especially one that is immediately advantageous. Over time, this focus on pragmatic suitability acquired the potential connotation of prioritizing effectiveness over strict ethical considerations, leading to the modern abstract meaning of practicality, often with a hint of opportunism.
Analysis
Structure: ex (out) + ped (foot) + ience (noun suffix)
- ex: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "out of, from, thoroughly."
- ped: Latin origin, a root meaning "foot."
- ience: Latin origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality.
Examples
The decision was made more for political expedience than for moral principle.
In times of crisis, leaders may feel pressured to choose the path of expedience.
He questioned the short-term expedience of the policy, arguing for a more sustainable long-term solution.