providence

plural providences

1. archaiccountableuncountablePreparation for the future; good governance; foresight.First known use 14th c.
2. countableuncountableThe careful governance and guidance of God (or another deity, nature, etc.).First known use 14th c.

   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:

   1957, Parliament of the United Kingdom, “Preamble”, in Naval Discipline Act 1957, page 1

   1 more example

   Constraining the area of a UAS’ operation does not provide protection to the public when there is no guarantee that a UA will remain within these confines. In this case the UA entered controlled airspace used by commercial aircraft and it could have crashed in a nearby densely populated area or at a large public event, both with a high potential for fatalities. As there was no control or influence over where it crashed, it was only down to providence that it crashed in a field 40 m away from occupied houses.

   2021 February 18, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, “Public Safety”, in AAIB investigation to Alauda Airspeeder Mk II, (UAS, registration n/a) 040719, archived from the original on 19 Sep 2023

3. countableuncountableA manifestation of divine care or direction; an instance of divine intervention.First known use 16th c.

   The idea was that a complete list of fully documented providences should be compiled as a cooperative venture which would cross denominational barriers.

   1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 91

4. countableuncountableSpecifically, the prudent care and management of resources; thriftiness, frugality.First known use 17th c.

   His providence in saving for his old age is exemplary.

1. Divine care or direction, the will of God or the gods; the grace of God; fate or fortune.

   Synonyms: Divine Providence, hand of God

2. A number of places named after Divine Providence:
   1. 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.

      2022 May 11, Sandra E. Garcia, “Butt Lifts Are Booming. Healing Is No Joke.”, in The New York Times Magazine, archived from the original on 19 May 2022

      1 more example

      In Olneyville, behind the historic Atlantic Mills, the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Bike Path connects Providence to Johnston. It features soccer fields, gardens and a pump track along the way.

      2024 June 23, Christine Chitnis, “The city that moved rivers to emerge as a cultural capital”, in CNN, archived from the original on 31 Aug 2024

   2. A town in Marengo County, Alabama.
   3. An unincorporated community in White County, Arkansas.
   4. A ghost town in San Bernardino County, California.
   5. An unincorporated community in Bureau County, Illinois.
   6. An unincorporated community in Union Township, Johnson County, Indiana.
   7. A city in Webster County, Kentucky.
   8. An unincorporated community in Simpson County, Kentucky.
   9. An unincorporated community in Trimble County, Kentucky.
   10. An unincorporated community in Cecil County, Maryland.
   11. A township and unincorporated community therein, in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota.
   12. An unincorporated community in Boone County, Missouri.
   13. An unincorporated community in Dunklin County, Missouri.
   14. A town in Saratoga County, New York.
   15. An unincorporated community in Caswell County, North Carolina.
   16. An unincorporated community in Granville County, North Carolina.
   17. An unincorporated community in McDowell County, North Carolina.
   18. An unincorporated community in Rockingham County, North Carolina.
   19. A township and ghost town in Lucas County, Ohio.
   20. A township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
   21. An unincorporated community in Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
   22. An unincorporated community in Anderson County, Texas.
   23. A city in Cache County, Utah.
   24. An unincorporated community in Jackson County, West Virginia.
   25. Other townships, in Iowa (2), and North Carolina, listed under Providence Township.
   26. A village in Apatou commune, French Guiana department.
   27. A community in the Demerara-Mahaica region, Guyana.