1. a. Foresight; anticipation of and preparation for the future; prudent management, government, or guidance. Also: an instance of this. Now rare.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Wisd. vi. 17 In hys weies it shal shewen itself to 
em, & gladsumly in alle prouydence [a1425 L.V. puruyaunce; L. providentia] or bifore ordeynyng [1611 in every thought, R.V. purpose], it shal a
en comen to em. a1450 (?c1421) LYDGATE Siege Thebes (Arun.) 2982 Wher prudence can fynde no socour And prouidence haueth no favour, Farwel wisdam. 1485 Malory’s Morte Darthur I. vi. sig. a.v, The Archebisshop..by Merlyns prouydence lete purueye thenne of the best knyghtes that they myghte gete. a1500 Sidrak & Bokkus (Lansd.) 10703 Good wisdom and prouidence Most be chef parcel of thi deffence. 1548 Hall’s Vnion: Edward IV f. clxxxixv, In compassyng and bryngyng greate thynges to passe, there lacked no industrie, nor prouidence. 1590 W. SEGAR Bk. Honor & Armes A 2v, No prouidence can preuent the questions and quarrels that daylie happen among Gentlemen and others professing Armes. 1622 BACON Hist. Great Brit. in Wks. (1879) I. 796/1 In this matter the providence of king Henry the seventh was in all men’s mouths. 1702 Eng. Theophrastus 379 This is not to exclude that providence of tracing premisses into consequences and causes into their effects. 1768 J. WESLEY Let. 26 Nov. (1931) V. 113 There seems to have been a particular providence in Hannah Harrison’s coming to Beverley, especially at that very time when a peace-maker was so much wanting. 1867 F. D. MAURICE Patriarchs & Law-givers (1877) vi. 134 The creature who bears His image is intended to exercise providence. 1881 R. L. STEVENSON Virginibus Puerisque 174 Into the views of the least careful there will enter some degree of providence. 2003 National Rev. (Nexis) 10 Mar., One important way to exercise this providence is to take care not to foul our habitat.
em, & gladsumly in alle prouydence [a1425 L.V. puruyaunce; L. providentia] or bifore ordeynyng [1611 in every thought, R.V. purpose], it shal aen comen to em. a1450 (?c1421) LYDGATE Siege Thebes (Arun.) 2982 Wher prudence can fynde no socour And prouidence haueth no favour, Farwel wisdam. 1485 Malory’s Morte Darthur I. vi. sig. a.v, The Archebisshop..by Merlyns prouydence lete purueye thenne of the best knyghtes that they myghte gete. a1500 Sidrak & Bokkus (Lansd.) 10703 Good wisdom and prouidence Most be chef parcel of thi deffence. 1548 Hall’s Vnion: Edward IV f. clxxxixv, In compassyng and bryngyng greate thynges to passe, there lacked no industrie, nor prouidence. 1590 W. SEGAR Bk. Honor & Armes A 2v, No prouidence can preuent the questions and quarrels that daylie happen among Gentlemen and others professing Armes. 1622 BACON Hist. Great Brit. in Wks. (1879) I. 796/1 In this matter the providence of king Henry the seventh was in all men’s mouths. 1702 Eng. Theophrastus 379 This is not to exclude that providence of tracing premisses into consequences and causes into their effects. 1768 J. WESLEY Let. 26 Nov. (1931) V. 113 There seems to have been a particular providence in Hannah Harrison’s coming to Beverley, especially at that very time when a peace-maker was so much wanting. 1867 F. D. MAURICE Patriarchs & Law-givers (1877) vi. 134 The creature who bears His image is intended to exercise providence. 1881 R. L. STEVENSON Virginibus Puerisque 174 Into the views of the least careful there will enter some degree of providence. 2003 National Rev. (Nexis) 10 Mar., One important way to exercise this providence is to take care not to foul our habitat.b. spec. Regard for future needs in the management of resources; thrift, frugality.
1608 T. HEYWOOD Rape Lucrece sig. F v, We must be carefull and with prouidence Guide his domestick busines. 1620 Horæ Subsecivæ 105 They that spend more then they haue, want gouernment: they that spend all, Prouidence. 1743 J. DOWNES Serm. preached in Sheffield, 26th Aug. 1742 27, I should flatter you to say there are not some amongst you who, though they have the Diligence of the Bee, yet want the Providence of the Ant. 1848 J. S. MILL Princ. Polit. Econ. (1876) I. xiii. §1 117/2 [It] renders the increase of production no longer exclusively dependent on the thrift or providence of the inhabitants themselves. 1857 J. RUSKIN Polit. Econ. Art i. 8 When there should have been providence, there has been waste. 1885 LD. PEMBROKE in Pall Mall Gaz. 23 May 2/1 The providence which is all that is necessary in a rich country like ours to bring material prosperity to the labouring class. 1941 P. HAMILTON Hangover Square (1974) 130 Unlike herself.., he had a curious but ineraseable streak of providence, and possessed a certain sum of money in his bank. 2000 Guardian (Nexis) 25 Mar. 9 Isas were introduced to make savers out of everyone and encourage prudence and providence.
2. In full providence of God (also nature, etc.) , divine providence. The foreknowing and protective care of God (or nature, etc.); divine direction, control, or guidance.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Wisd. xiv. 3 
ou..fader, gouernyst bi prouydence [L. providentia, Gk. 
; a1425 L.V. puruyaunce]. c1450 (?c1400) Three Kings Cologne (Cambr. Ee.4.32) 35 God, whos prouidence in his ordinance faile not. 1483 CAXTON tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 121/2 He was in hys chyldhode sette to studye whereby dyuyne prouydence he floured in double science. a1500 (c1400) St. Erkenwald 161 e prouidens of e prince at paradis weldes. 1553 T. WILSON Arte of Rhetorique I. f. 31, Nature by her prouidence, myndeth vnto vs a certain immortalitie. 1587 SIR P. SIDNEY & A. GOLDING tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. ix. 151 What else is Prouidence, than the will of God vttered foorth with Reason, and orderly disposed by vnderstanding? 1632 W. LITHGOW Totall Disc. Trav. x. 471 Thy Bookes..are miraculously Translated by her [sc. the Virgin Mary’s] speciall prouidence. 1663 J. SPENCER Disc. Prodigies (1665) 298 Those..signs with which the Providence of Nature..was noted to preface her works of greater note. 1676 W. HUBBARD Happiness of People 36 Creation and providence are the issues of the same Being and Power. 1727 D. DEFOE Ess. Hist. Apparitions iv. 37 Providence..which is..the administration of Heaven’s Government in the World. 1776 GIBBON Decline & Fall I. Notes p. lxxxv/1 The providence of the gods..for the most part destroyed the books of the Pyrrhonians and Epicureans. 1808 LD. ERSKINE in Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 10 929 Surrounded by that impregnable moat with which the Divine Providence has fortified this island. 1854 H. H. MILMAN Hist. Lat. Christianity (1864) II. III. vii. 150 That the ordinary providence of God gave place to a perpetual interposition of miraculous power. 1883 Pall Mall Gaz. 19 Nov. 12/2 Calmly, lovingly, and indulgingly trusting to God’s providence. 1930 Amer. Mercury Jan. 6/1 The next step was an accident, one of a series that has displayed God’s providence to Mormonry. 1963 M. L. KING Strength to Love viii. 60 The Israelites, through the providence of God, crossed the Red Sea. 2000 D. ALLEN in A. Hastings et al. Oxf. Compan. Christian Thought 538/2 Biblical history is directed by divine providence toward the realization of the Kingdom of God.
ou..fader, gouernyst bi prouydence [L. providentia, Gk. ; a1425 L.V. puruyaunce]. c1450 (?c1400) Three Kings Cologne (Cambr. Ee.4.32) 35 God, whos prouidence in his ordinance faile not. 1483 CAXTON tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 121/2 He was in hys chyldhode sette to studye whereby dyuyne prouydence he floured in double science. a1500 (c1400) St. Erkenwald 161 e prouidens of e prince at paradis weldes. 1553 T. WILSON Arte of Rhetorique I. f. 31, Nature by her prouidence, myndeth vnto vs a certain immortalitie. 1587 SIR P. SIDNEY & A. GOLDING tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. ix. 151 What else is Prouidence, than the will of God vttered foorth with Reason, and orderly disposed by vnderstanding? 1632 W. LITHGOW Totall Disc. Trav. x. 471 Thy Bookes..are miraculously Translated by her [sc. the Virgin Mary’s] speciall prouidence. 1663 J. SPENCER Disc. Prodigies (1665) 298 Those..signs with which the Providence of Nature..was noted to preface her works of greater note. 1676 W. HUBBARD Happiness of People 36 Creation and providence are the issues of the same Being and Power. 1727 D. DEFOE Ess. Hist. Apparitions iv. 37 Providence..which is..the administration of Heaven’s Government in the World. 1776 GIBBON Decline & Fall I. Notes p. lxxxv/1 The providence of the gods..for the most part destroyed the books of the Pyrrhonians and Epicureans. 1808 LD. ERSKINE in Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 10 929 Surrounded by that impregnable moat with which the Divine Providence has fortified this island. 1854 H. H. MILMAN Hist. Lat. Christianity (1864) II. III. vii. 150 That the ordinary providence of God gave place to a perpetual interposition of miraculous power. 1883 Pall Mall Gaz. 19 Nov. 12/2 Calmly, lovingly, and indulgingly trusting to God’s providence. 1930 Amer. Mercury Jan. 6/1 The next step was an accident, one of a series that has displayed God’s providence to Mormonry. 1963 M. L. KING Strength to Love viii. 60 The Israelites, through the providence of God, crossed the Red Sea. 2000 D. ALLEN in A. Hastings et al. Oxf. Compan. Christian Thought 538/2 Biblical history is directed by divine providence toward the realization of the Kingdom of God.
3. That which is provided; a supply, a provision. Cf. PROVIDING n. 2, PROVIDANCE n. 1. Obs.
c1450 Pilgrimage Lyfe Manhode (Cambr.) 74 Memorie..is thing riht necessarie to alle thilke that wolen make here ordinaunce and here prouidence [Fr. providence] of any wit or science. a1470 MALORY Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 947 Whan he kneled downe to drynke of the welle, there he saw grete provydence of the Sankgreall. c1484 J. DE CARITATE tr. Secreta Secret. (Takamiya) 141 To por folk..at haue chyldyr lyckely to lernne, i prouydens schuld help to er fyndyng. [1706 Phillips’s New World of Words (ed. 6), Providentia, Providence… In some old Records, Provision of Meat or Drink.]
at haue chyldyr lyckely to lernne, i prouydens schuld help to er fyndyng. [1706 Phillips’s New World of Words (ed. 6), Providentia, Providence… In some old Records, Provision of Meat or Drink.]4. The action of providing something; provision, preparation, arrangement. Chiefly in to make providence. Cf. PROVIDANCE n. 2. Now rare.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl.) (1879) VII. 115 God schalle make providence [for a king] after hym [TREVISA God schal purveie, L. providebit Deus]. 1488 HARY Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace IX. 77 Gud Wallace than has maid his prouidance. a1533 LD. BERNERS tr. A. de Guevara Golden Boke M. Aurelius (1546) R iij b, Sodeyn death came to the fathers, and no prouidence made for the doughters. 1547 Bk. Marchauntes e v b, That they maye make suche prouidens and remedy that the vengeaunce of God do not fall on the poore peopel.
2004 Herald (Torquay) Express (Nexis) 11 June 16 An efficient business makes providence for future expected upkeep and does not squander current income.
5. a. An act or instance of divine intervention; an event or circumstance which indicates divine dispensation.
special providence, a particular act of direct divine intervention.
c1540 J. BELLENDEN tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. XII. xvi. f. clxxxv/1, Ye haly croce..was not cumin but sum heuinly prouydence. a1632 T. TAYLOR Christs Victorie over Dragon (1633) 807 Wee meane those speciall providences, by which the former floods were dryed up. 1651 MRQ. ORMONDE in G. F. Warner Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 279 The King being by an eminent and high providence escaped the bloody hands of the Rebells is arived at Paris. 1719 D. DEFOE Life Robinson Crusoe 175 How can he sweeten the bitterest Providences. 1784 E. ALLEN Reason x. §1. 347 Admitting the first three propositions to be true, to wit, that there are three Gods..their essences and providences would interfere. 1801 W. HUNTINGTON God Guardian of Poor Ded. p. iii, Those providences which appear rather out of the common line are hard nuts in the mouth of a weak believer. 1857 Harper’s Mag. Dec. 84/1 [It] made it seem like a special providence that the great water-doctor should have been born in a country where douches and bandages were so convenient. 1871 J. TYNDALL Fragm. Sci. (1879) II. ii. 11 The miracle of the Thundering Legion was a special providence. 1911 J. MUNRO F. J. Furnivall: Rec. p. xvii, A special providence seems to have guarded over Furnivall on his remigatory excursions. 1976 P. DONOVAN Relig. Lang. iv. 40 Particular phenomena like miracles, providences, answered prayers, prophetic utterances and conversions. 1999 A. WALSHAM Providence in Early Mod. Eng. v. 229 ‘Special providences’ and miracles were not spontaneous or impromptu interventions; they were events for which God had foreseen the need.
b. Chiefly U.S. regional (east.). A fatality or disastrous accident, regarded as an act of God. Now rare.
1645 New Haven Colonial Rec. 162 The judgem[en]t of the Court was thatt itt was an afflicting providence of God w[hi]ch the said Barnes was to beare himselfe. 1684 I. MATHER Ess. Illustrious Providences xi. 339 There hapned a most awful providence at Farmington in Connecticot Colony. 1721 Essex Inst. Coll. 60 289 Mr. Nathl. Higginson… Dyed on March 10… An awfull Providence this is to..Madm. Higginson & the family of the Higginson. 1740 J. WESLEY Wks. (1872) I. 290, I was informed of an awful providence. 1809 E. A. KENDALL Trav. Northern Parts U.S. III. lxxxv. 292 The phrase a providence..in New England..appears to be more frequently used for that which is disastrous but which is at the same time to be regarded and submitted to as the act of God. 1814 Connecticut Courant 1 Mar. 3/2 Distressing Providence.
On Wednesday last as John N. Olcott..was scating on Connecticut river..he..broke in and drowned. 1837 S. S. ARNOLD in Proc. Vermont Hist. Soc. (1940) 8 129 In the morning a dreadful providence occurred. The Charlestown stage with 5 passengers and the driver fell with Cold river bridge, while crossing, into the stream. 1865 Herald & Torch Light (Hagerstown, Maryland) 7 June 3/3 We tender to his surviving family our..profound sympathies in the afflicting Providence which has deprived our people of one of the best of men. 1954 Landmark (Statesville, N. Carolina) 16 Mar. 2/3 Many of the strange and terrible providences of God..may be punishment.
On Wednesday last as John N. Olcott..was scating on Connecticut river..he..broke in and drowned. 1837 S. S. ARNOLD in Proc. Vermont Hist. Soc. (1940) 8 129 In the morning a dreadful providence occurred. The Charlestown stage with 5 passengers and the driver fell with Cold river bridge, while crossing, into the stream. 1865 Herald & Torch Light (Hagerstown, Maryland) 7 June 3/3 We tender to his surviving family our..profound sympathies in the afflicting Providence which has deprived our people of one of the best of men. 1954 Landmark (Statesville, N. Carolina) 16 Mar. 2/3 Many of the strange and terrible providences of God..may be punishment.6. a. Usu. in form Providence. God or nature as exercising prescient and beneficent power and direction.
1602 W. WARNER Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) XIII. lxxviii. 321 Whom if yee Nature call (saith One) yee call him not amis… Or Prouidence, whose acting power doth all begin and end. 1691 J. NORRIS Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 219 No Man is too little and despicable for the notice of Providence, however he may be overlook’d by his Fellow-Creatures. 1704 DE FOE in 15th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. IV. 88 What Providence has reserved for me he only knows. 1782 W. COWPER Conversation in Poems 437 The mind, dispatched upon her busy toil, Should range where Providence has blest the soil. 1813 T. JEFFERSON Let. 24 May in Writings (1984) 1272 It has been the will of Providence to raise up..a tyrant. 1842 A. ALISON Hist. Europe X. lxxviii. 1013 Moreau expressed a fact of general application, explained according to the irreligious ideas of the French Revolution, when he said, that ‘Providence was always on the side of dense battalions’. 1894 S. BARING-GOULD Queen of Love II. 59, I am not one to fly in the face of Providence. 1934 G. B. SHAW Let. in Times 2 Jan. 11/5 An announcer who pronounced decadent and sonorous as dekkadent and sonnerus would provoke Providence to strike him dumb. 1959 M. SPARK Memento Mori (1961) 111 As if tempting Providence to send them another, avenging, Tempest, they transferred Sister Burstead..to another ward. 1994 T. CLANCY Debt of Honor xlvi. 755 Sato thanked Providence for the timing of the event.
b. The lot assigned to an individual by Providence. Obs. nonce-use.
a1661 T. FULLER Worthies (1662) Cambr. 152 Stephen de Fulborn..Going over into Ireland to seek his Providence (commonly nicknamed his fortune)..became..Bishop of Waterford.
c. colloq. In extended use: a person who acts as, or appears to have the power of, Providence. Obs.
1814 WORDSWORTH Excursion III. 121 My Guardian;shall I say That earthly Providence. 1856 R. W. EMERSON Eng. Traits xi. 195 ‘They might be little Providences on earth,’ said my friend, ‘and they are, for the most part, jockeys and fops.’ 1886 P. ROBINSON Valley Teetotum Trees 28 Man is the Providence of the goose and..it is well that we should..generously condescend to sympathy with it. 1895 Daily News 30 May 6/5 The Providence of the officers who were sent to stay at St. Petersburg was Mlle. Georges.
shall I say That earthly Providence. 1856 R. W. EMERSON Eng. Traits xi. 195 ‘They might be little Providences on earth,’ said my friend, ‘and they are, for the most part, jockeys and fops.’ 1886 P. ROBINSON Valley Teetotum Trees 28 Man is the Providence of the goose and..it is well that we should..generously condescend to sympathy with it. 1895 Daily News 30 May 6/5 The Providence of the officers who were sent to stay at St. Petersburg was Mlle. Georges.