providence
nounUK /ˈpɹɒvɪdəns/ · US /ˈpɹɑvɪdəns/
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.
1
Archaic Preparation 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:1957, Parliament of the United Kingdom, “Preamble”, in Naval Discipline Act 1957, page 1:
- Constraining the area of a UAS’ operation does not provide protection to the public when there is no guarantee that a UA will remain within these confines. In this case the UA entered controlled airspace used by commercial aircraft and it could have crashed in a nearby densely populated area or at a large public event, both with a high potential for fatalities. As there was no control or influence over where it crashed, it was only down to providence that it crashed in a field 40 m away from occupied houses.2021 February 18, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, “Public Safety”, in AAIB investigation to Alauda Airspeeder Mk II, (UAS, registration n/a) 040719, archived from the original on 19 Sep 2023:
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.1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 91:
4
Specifically, the prudent care and management of resources; thriftiness, frugality.
- His providence in saving for his old age is exemplary.
- Derived terms
- improvidence, Lake Providence, Providence Portal, unprovidenced