providence
/ˈpɹɒvɪdəns/
Etymology
From providence.
providence means divine care or direction, the will of God or the gods; the grace of God; fate or fortune. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 74 out of 100.
Why this word is great
PROVIDENCE — [Noun] Divine guidance or care, or the prudent foresight and preparation for the future. From Middle English, via Anglo-French and Latin prōvidentia ("foresight, providence"), from prōvidēre ("to foresee, provide"), from prō- ("ahead") and vidēre ("to see"). Unlike "fate," which implies an impersonal and inescapable script, or "provenance," which neutrally charts an object's origin, providence suggests an intentional, guiding hand. It is the squirrel burying an acorn that becomes an oak, the pantry stocked before the storm arrives, and the preserved letter discovered when its consolation is needed most. We call it divine because it resembles a story where every detail matters—a narrative we can only perceive in retrospect, and never write ourselves.
name
- Divine care or direction, the will of God or the gods; the grace of God; fate or fortune.
- A number of places named after Divine Providence:; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Providence County, Rhode Island, the state capital and largest city.“Catera Northup, 20, an exotic dancer from Providence, R.I., and Treneishyia Phillips, 27, from Waynesboro, Georgia, recovered from B.B.L.s at at^([sic]) Enchantress.”
- A number of places named after Divine Providence:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Marengo County, Alabama.
- A number of places named after Divine Providence:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in White County, Arkansas.
- A number of places named after Divine Providence:; A number of places in the United States:; A ghost town in San Bernardino County, California.
- A number of places named after Divine Providence:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Bureau County, Illinois.
noun
- Preparation for the future; good governance; foresight.
- 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:”
- 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.”
- Specifically, the prudent care and management of resources; thriftiness, frugality.“His providence in saving for his old age is exemplary.”