different between providence vs provisions

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman providence, Middle French providence, and their source, Latin pr?videntia (“providence, foresight”), from the present participle of pr?vid?re (“to provide”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p??v?d?ns/

Noun

providence (countable and uncountable, plural providences)

1. (now rare) Preparation for the future; good governance, foresight. [from 14th c.]
2. The careful governance and guidance of God (or another deity, nature etc.). [from 14th c.]
3. 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 2012, p. 91:

     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. [from 17th c.]

   His providence in saving for his old age is exemplary.

Related terms

• provident

Translations

See also

• divine

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p??.vi.d??s/

Noun

providence f (plural providences)

1. providence

Old French

Noun

providence f (nominative singular providence)

1. providence (manifestation of divine care or direction)

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p???v??.?nz/
• Hyphenation: pro?vi?sions

Noun

provisions

1. plural of provision

Verb

provisions

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of provision

French

Noun

provisions f

1. plural of provision

Further reading

• “provisions” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).