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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Providence, -ens, n. Also: -wid, -vyd, -vied- and -ance; provindence. [ME and e.m.E. prouydence (Wyclif), -vidence, -videns, F. providence (12th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), L. prōvidēntia, f. prōvidēre Provid(e v.]

1. The action of providing; provision; preparation. c1475 Wall viii 1695.
Gud Wallace than has maid his prouidance 1533 Bell. Livy II 12/7.
Nochtwithstanding all thare providence Virgineius at his cummyng rasit mare trubill

2. The foresight and benevolent care of God.(a) 1490 Irland Mir. I 63/14.
The devin prouidence was mare deligent for his saule … than for … his body Ib. II 135/4. 1549 Compl. 19/3.
As the hie monarchis … ar … menteinit be the sempeternal prouidens 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10532.
Of God alone, and his greit prouydence 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 36.
Think it na les providence of ȝour hevinlie fader a1578 Pitsc. II 166/20.
Quhilk was done be the meir proviedence of God to saif his servantis c1590 Fowler II 91/21.
Thir principalyteis … ar … by a houlye providence reuled 1598–9 Reg. Privy C. V 532.
Wer not be the providence of God and the pistolett misgaiff(b) 1683 Galloway P. 5 Feb.
James by divine provindence lord bishope of Galloway

b. An instance of this; an ‘act of God’.Hence, applied also to a mischance or disaster, so regarded. 1531 Bell. Boece II 298.
The haly croce … was not cumin but sum hevinly providence 1649 Cullen Kirk S. 12 Nov.
If some women had not com be a providence & hindered her 1654 Nicoll Diary 123. 1660 Sc. Ant. VI 114.
And the many sad providences they have encoutered

3. Foresight; prudent regard to the future; (wise) management or arrangement. c1460 Regim. Princ. 106 (Marchm.).
Bot wald thow wyt al the prouidence Of al thine office to thi grete consale a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx 185.
Think nocht sic pitie is but prowidens 1577–8 Reg. Privy S. VII 236/1.
James Erll of Mortoun … be his providence and foirsicht … pacefeit the seditionis and civile weir 1596 Dalr. I 131/4.