What is the action of making something easier or causing it to progress faster?

The action of making something easier or causing it to progress faster is best defined by the term that refers to facilitating a process or speeding up a task, which is represented by the word "expedite." When you expedite something, you enhance efficiency and ensure that it moves forward without unnecessary delay. This term is often used in contexts such as shipping, project management, and various processes where time is of the essence.

In contrast, the other choices refer to different concepts: "gird" means to encircle or prepare for action; "adjudicate" involves making a formal judgment or decision about a problem; and "countenance" refers to the expression on a person's face or supporting something. None of these words captures the essence of accelerating or facilitating processes like "expedite" does.