expedient
UK[ɪkˈspiːdiənt]US[ɪkˈspiːdiənt]
adj
suitable or appropriate for achieving a particular goal, especially when it is convenient but possibly not moral or fair.
n
an action or resource that is useful or advantageous in a difficult situation.
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
ped
ient
ex
out of, from
ped
foot
ient
doing, being, causing
Etymology
the word 'expedient' originates from the latin verb 'expedire', meaning "to free from a snare, to extricate, to make ready". this verb itself is a compound of the prefix 'ex-' ("out") and the root 'pes, ped-' ("foot"), painting a vivid picture of literally freeing one's foot from a trap or entanglement. from this concrete sense of liberation, the meaning broadened to signify the act of making something ready or putting it in order, which is the foundation for its modern sense of suitability for purpose. the present participle suffix '-ient' was added to form an adjective describing something that serves to expedite or facilitate an outcome, often with a pragmatic, sometimes morally neutral or questionable, connotation.
Analysis
Structure: ex + ped + ient
- ex: latin origin, meaning "out of, from". a prefix indicating outward movement or removal.
- ped: latin origin, from "pes, ped-" meaning "foot". a root relating to the foot or movement.
- ient: latin origin, from the suffix "-ientem" (present participle ending of verbs), forming adjectives meaning "doing, being, causing".
Examples
it was considered expedient to release the statement before the markets opened.
the manager found a temporary expedient to keep the production line running.
in politics, compromise is often the most expedient course of action.