Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Expedient, a. Also: expedyent, -yende; expedent, -pidient. [ME. (1398), L. expediens.] Conducive to the purpose in view; fit and proper.In very common use during the 15th and 16th cents., esp. in the phrase to think (it is thocht, etc.) expedient. 1409 Exch. R. IV. ccxi.
As may be sene maste expedient to thaim and till thair batheris counselis 1456 Hay I. 216/15.
It is nocht expedient, na proffitable … that he war subject to the Empire 1469 Acts II. 97.
It is sene expedient that the court of parliament … nede nocht to be continuit fra day to day 1471 Ib. II. 100/1.
It is thocht expedient … at the futbal & golf be abusit in tym cummyng 1512 Reg. Privy S. I. 359/2.
To haif staris … of sic breid and lenth as he sall think expedient for entre 1531 Bell. Boece II. 291.
Traisting mair expedient for him to have the empire of Ingland … than to be king of Jowry 1552 Reg. Cupar A. II. 104.
The saidis … sall hawe powar to big als mekill as thai sall think expidient 1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 62.
[The council] fynds it expedient that the act of counsell … be put to executioun 1607 Highland P. III. 101.
We fand it … expedyent … that some questionis sould be givin to him in wryte