1. PROVIDENCE, N.
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{dag}1. The action of providing; provision, preparation,
arrangement; chiefly in phrase to make providence, to make provision.
Obs. exc. dial. In this sense, and in b, dial. also (pr{schwa}{shtu}{sm}va{shti}d{schwa}ns).

    {dag}b. That which is provided; a supply, a provision. Cf. PROVIDING
vbl. n. b. Obs. exc. dial.

    2. Foresight, prevision; esp. anticipation of and preparation for
the future; `timely care' (J.); hence, prudent or wise arrangement,
management, government, or guidance. Also, an instance of this.

    b. Regard to future needs in the management of resources; foreseeing
economy, thrift, frugality.

    3. In full, providence of God (etc.), divine providence: The
foreknowing and beneficent care and government of God (or of nature,
etc.); divine direction, control, or guidance.

    {dag}b. The lot assigned to one by Providence. Obs. nonce-use.

    4. Hence applied to the Deity as exercising prescient and beneficent
power and direction.

    b. transf. A person who acts or appears in the character of
Providence. colloq.

    5. An instance or act of divine intervention; an event or
circumstance which indicates divine dispensation. special providence, a
particular act of direct divine intervention.

    b. Applied esp. to a disastrous accident, or fatality, regarded as
an act of God. Obs. or dial.

    Hence {sm}providence v. trans. nonce-wd., to act the part of
Providence towards; to be a providence to.