Providence
/ˈprɒv.ɪ.dəns/noun
The protective care or guidance of God or nature over human affairs; also the act of foreseeing and providing for the future.
Did you know?Providence comes through Latin from a verb meaning “to see ahead,” and in Christian theology it became the idea that divine power is already arranging what humans will only later call fate.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wid-
“to see, know”
Latin
Latin
providēre
“to foresee, look ahead, provide for”
Latin
Latin
prōvidentia
“foresight, foreknowledge; divine foreseeing care”
Old French
Old French
providence
“foresight, prudence; divine governance”
Middle English
English
providence
“foresight, careful provision; divine care”
Modern English
English
providence
“divine guidance or protective care; prudent preparation for the future”