Expedite v.

Pa. pple. 5 expedyte. [f. L. expedīt- ppl. stem of expedīre, f. ex- (see EX- pref.¹) + ped-em foot.

  The L. word etymologically means ‘to free (a person’s) feet from fetters’ (the contrary of impedīre: see IMPEDE), hence, to free from difficulties, to help forward, to get (a work) out of hand, to dispatch, send off, etc.]

  † 1.  trans. To clear of difficulties; to clear up (confusion); to facilitate (action or movement); to disentangle, untie (a knot). Obs.

1614.  Lodge, Seneca, 1. The Bookes are … confused in order…; which a man though circumspect shall hardly expedite.

1643.  Milton, Divorce, Introd. (1851), 10. To expedite these knots were worthy a learned and memorable Synod.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., II. i. § 9. His [Ethelbert’s] power had influence even to Humber … which afterward much expedited the passage of the Gospel in England.

1667.  Milton, P. L., X. 474. A broad way now is pav’d To expedite your glorious march.

  † b.  refl. To get (oneself) out of difficulties; to extricate, set free. Const. from. Obs.

1627.  W. Sclater, Exp. 2 Thess. (1629), 172. Two things I commend to euery one desirous herein to expedite himselfe.

a. 1661.  Fuller, Worthies, Exeter, I. 272. This active Gentleman had much adoe to expedite himself, and save his life.

1681.  Glanvill, Sadducismus, I. (1726), 85. She knows not how to expedite herself from gross corporeal Phantasms.

  † c.  To get (a person) out of the way; to get rid of, dispatch. Obs.

1678.  Trial of Coleman, 25. Ashby brought with him Treasonable Instructions in order to expedite the King by Poison.

  2.  To help forward, hasten the progress of.

a. 1618.  Raleigh, Mahomet (1637), 62. Which hee doubted not would expedite his desires.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., IV. iii. § 33. When a Royal Family is once falling, all things conduce to expedite their destruction.

1791.  Cowper, Odyss., VII. 275. But expedite ye at the dawn of day My safe return.

1828.  J. H. Moore, Pract. Navig. (ed. 20), 40. It will greatly expedite the working the proportions … if … all the statings be first made.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 550. The Speaker … received from the City a thousand guineas for expediting a local bill.

1872.  H. Macmillan, True Vine, iii. 122. Nature … expedites the process of flowering and seeding.

  b.  intr. To push on with speed (in travelling).

1602.  Warner, Alb. Eng., XI. lxvi. (1612), 281. And thence, to expedite for Ob, his Labours did reuiue.

  3.  To perform quickly; to ‘get out of hand,’ dispatch, accomplish.

1471.  Ripley, Comp. Alch., VII. in Ashm. (1652), 169. In few words yt wylbe expedyte.

1618.  Sir L. Cranfield, in Fortesc. Papers, 61. I have signified his Majesties pleasure … which wee will expedite.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., II. iii. § 9. 96. Apparition of the Virgin Mary … is pretended to have shewed her self … to Egwin, Bishop of Worcester, prompting him to expedite a Structure therein.

1698–9.  Ludlow, Mem. (1751), I. 139. The Earl of Ormond … being willing … to expedite that service, accepted their invitation.

1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 116. A place … less capable of expediting my orders.

c. 1850.  Lane, Arab. Nts. (ed. Rtldg.), 550. We will … expedite her business.

1871.  B. Taylor, Faust (1875), II. IV. i. 235. Such is my wish: dare thou to expedite it.

  4.  To send out, issue officially (a document, etc.); to dispatch (a message). Now rare.

a. 1626.  Bacon, New Atl., iii. (1635), 149. Though such charters be expedited of course.

1648.  Evelyn, Mem. (1857), III. 10. A positive answer to be expedited within fifteen days.

1753.  trans. Voltaire’s Micromegas, etc. 232. All the public acts were expedited in that [Norman] language.

1815.  Mad. D’Arblay, Diary (1876), IV. 303. Thither, also, I expedited a letter, under cover to the Duke.

1818.  Jas. Mill, Brit. India, I. III. iii. 527. The instruments of government to be expedited.

1852.  Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Madonna (1857), 47. In 1617, when the Bull of Paul V. was formally expedited.

  b.  transf. To send out († an army, munitions of war); to dispatch (a courier). rare.

1606.  Warner, Alb. Eng., XVI. ci. 398. Hee To expedite against Prince Rees an Armie did decree.

1694.  Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), III. 347. Orders are sent to the Tower to expedite 10,000 bombs and 10,000 carcasses to the lord Berkly.

1876.  Bancroft, Hist. U. S., VI. xli. 246. A Russian courier was expedited to Stockholm.

  Hence Expediter, Expediting vbl. sb.

1643.  T. Case, Quarrell of Covenant (1644), 99. Thou hast not grace enough … for the expediting thy self out of the next difficulty.

1678.  Trans. Crt. Spain, I. 169. That for the more diligent expediting of this, it would be convenient [etc.].

1891.  Pall Mall Gaz., 20 Oct., 1/3. Expediter of the business of the House.