providence
UK /ˈpɹɒvɪdəns/ · US /ˈpɹɑvɪdəns/ noun, proper noun
Forms providences
- noun (now rare) Preparation for the future; good governance; foresight.
- noun The careful governance and guidance of God (or another deity, nature, etc.).
- noun A manifestation of divine care or direction; an instance of divine intervention.
- noun Specifically, the prudent care and management of resources; thriftiness, frugality. “His providence in saving for his old age is exemplary.”
- proper noun Divine care or direction, the will of God or the gods; the grace of God; fate or fortune.
- proper noun A city in Providence County, Rhode Island, the state capital and largest city.
- proper noun A town in Marengo County, Alabama.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in White County, Arkansas.
- proper noun A ghost town in San Bernardino County, California.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in Bureau County, Illinois.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in Union Township, Johnson County, Indiana.
- proper noun A city in Webster County, Kentucky.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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.
From providence.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; a making ready; preparation.
- noun Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself, regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience.
Etymology [L. providentia: cf. F. providence. See Provident, and cf. Prudence.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “providence”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details