providence

nounattested in dialogue

United Kingdom//ˈpɹɒvɪdəns//
United States//ˈpɹɑvɪdəns//

The careful governance and guidance of God (or another deity, nature, etc.).

noun

1
archaicPreparation for the future; good governance; foresight.
2
The careful governance and guidance of God (or another deity, nature, etc.).
WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the law relating to the government of Her Majesty’s Navy, whereon, under the good Providence of God, the wealth, safety and strength of the Kingdom so much depend:
3
A manifestation of divine care or direction; an instance of divine intervention.
The idea was that a complete list of fully documented providences should be compiled as a cooperative venture which would cross denominational barriers.
4
Specifically, the prudent care and management of resources; thriftiness, frugality.
His providence in saving for his old age is exemplary.

Etymology

From Middle English providence, from Anglo-Norman providence, Middle French providence, and their source, Latin prōvidentia (“providence, foresight”), from the present participle of prōvidēre (“to provide”). By surface analysis, provide + -ence. Displaced native Old English foresċēawung.

Forms

plural: providences

proverb · A commonly used sentence expressing popular wisdom.provide · To make a living; earn money for necessities.provided · Only if (the stipulation that follows is true).

providence · The careful governance and guidance of God (or another deity, nature, etc.).

Providence · Divine care or direction, the will of God or the gods; the…provider · One who, or that which, provides a service, commodity, or the…providing · Something provided; a provision.

The neighbouring pages — Alphabetical order follows the rules of the language, not byte values: an accent decides only between two otherwise identical words, and Spanish files Ñ as a letter of its own.