Providence is care believed to be exercised by a higher power. Divine providence, by the providence of God, trust in providence.
It is a theological term for God's ongoing care of the world, and much of the argument about suffering turns on it. Capitalised, Providence is a name for God. In ordinary use, providence means fortunate timing that seems arranged. Note provident, meaning careful about the future, which is the same word applied to human foresight; and improvident, meaning the opposite, which is a criticism.
1nounprovidenceCare believed to be exercised by a higher power.
“The whole chapter is an argument about providence and suffering.”
2nounfortunateFortunate timing that seems arranged.
“It was pure providence that a doctor was on the train when he collapsed.”
providence is a watchful care.
Latin providentia means foresight — pro-, ahead, plus videre, to see. Provide, prudent and providence are the same word, and the divine sense is foresight attributed upward.
Latin
prōvidentia — providence, foresight
Middle French
providence
Anglo-Norman
providence
Middle English
providence
English, today
providence
Built from
From Middle English providence, from Anglo-Norman providence, Middle French providence, and their source, Latin prōvidentia (“providence, foresight”), from the present participle of provideo (“to provide”). by surface analysis, provide + -ence. Displaced native foresċēawung.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA