providence
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See also: Providence
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Anglo-Norman providence, Middle French providence, and their source, Latin prōvidentia (“providence, foresight”), from the present participle of prōvidēre (“to provide”). Displaced native Old English foresċēawung.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
providence (countable and uncountable, plural providences)
- (now rare) Preparation for the future; good governance; foresight. [from 14th c.]
- The careful governance and guidance of God (or another deity, nature, etc.). [from 14th c.]
- 2021 February 18, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, “Public Safety”, in AAIB investigation to Alauda Airspeeder Mk II, (UAS, registration n/a) 040719[1], archived from the original on 19 September 2023:
- 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.
- A manifestation of divine care or direction; an instance of divine intervention. [from 16th c.]
- 1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 91:
- The idea was that a complete list of fully documented providences should be compiled as a cooperative venture which would cross denominational barriers.
- Specifically, the prudent care and management of resources; thriftiness, frugality. [from 17th c.]
- His providence in saving for his old age is exemplary.
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
prudent care and management of resources; thriftiness
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careful guardianship exercised by a deity
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manifestation of divine care or direction
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See also[edit]
French[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
providence f (plural providences)
Further reading[edit]
- “providence”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Old French[edit]
Noun[edit]
providence f (nominative singular providence)
- providence (manifestation of divine care or direction)
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