v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Provided; p. pr. & vb. n. Providing. ] [ L. providere, provisum; pro before + videre to see. See Vision, and cf. Prudent, Purvey. ] 1. To look out for in advance; to procure beforehand; to get, collect, or make ready for future use; to prepare. “Provide us all things necessary.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To supply; to afford; to contribute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bring me berries, or such cooling fruit
As the kind, hospitable woods provide. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To furnish; to supply; -- formerly followed by of, now by with. “And yet provided him of but one.” Jer. Taylor. “Rome . . . was well provided with corn.” Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate; as, the contract provides that the work be well done. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To foresee. [ A Latinism ] [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See Provisor. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To procure supplies or means in advance; to take measures beforehand in view of an expected or a possible future need, especially a danger or an evil; -- followed by against or for; as, to provide against the inclemency of the weather; to provide for the education of a child. [ 1913 Webster ]

Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To stipulate previously; to condition; as, the agreement provides for an early completion of the work. [ 1913 Webster ]

conj. On condition; by stipulation; with the understanding; if; -- usually followed by that; as, provided that nothing in this act shall prejudice the rights of any person whatever. [ 1913 Webster ]

Provided the deductions are logical, they seem almost indifferent to their truth. G. H. Lewes. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word is strictly a participle, and the word being is understood, the participle provided agreeing with the whole sentence absolute, and being equivalent to this condition being previously stipulated or established. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. providentia: cf. F. providence. See Provident, and cf. Prudence. ] 1. The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; a making ready; preparation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Providence for war is the best prevention of it. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself, regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience. [ 1913 Webster ]

The world was all before them, where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Theol.) A manifestation of the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures; an event ordained by divine direction. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that hath a numerous family, and many to provide for, needs a greater providence of God. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Prudence in the management of one's concerns; economy; frugality. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is a high point of providence in a prince to cast an eye rather upon actions than persons. Quarles. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. providens, -entis, p. pr. of providere: cf. F. provident. See Provide, and cf. Prudent. ] Foreseeing wants and making provision to supply them; prudent in preparing for future exigencies; cautious; economical; -- sometimes followed by of; as, aprovident man; an animal provident of the future. [ 1913 Webster ]

And of our good and of our dignity,
How provident he is. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Forecasting; cautious; careful; prudent; frugal; economical. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. providentiel. ] Effected by, or referable to, divine direction or superintendence; as, the providential contrivance of thing; a providential escape. -- Prov"i*den"tial*ly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a provident manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being provident; carefulness; prudence; economy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who provides, furnishes, or supplies; one who procures what is wanted. [ 1913 Webster ]