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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.

Provisio(u)n(e, n. Also: -viss-, -wis-, -wys-; -ves-; -vit- and -yo(u)n, -ieoun. [ME and e.m.E. provysyoun (Wyclif), -visioun, -vysion, -uision, -vycyon, -vicion, -uysyon, etc., also -vytyon (16th c.), F. provision (1320 in Hatz.-Darm.), L. prōvīsiōn- a foreseeing, forethought, precaution, prevention, n. of action f. prōvidēre Provid(e v.]

1. Wise foresight; planning; design; premeditation.After c1570 appar. obs. in this sense except in the legal formula apon … provisioun (etc.).(1) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 540.
At the counselle of the prest Cressys And his provisioune and devyse … The hors completed was 1456 Hay II 152/4.
Counsail is … gude avis of provisioun and foresicht put in secrete repos and keping c1490 Porteous Noblenes 62/39 (Ch. & M.).
The prodigal man spendand without mesure & prouision … destroyis larges 1557 Peebles B. Rec. I 239.
Takkand to erd our … houssis … with hewin axis and suirdis of prouisioun maid of before a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xvi 51.(2) 1569–70 Canongate Ct. Bk. 178.
Upon set purpois and provisioun straik him … with ane drawin quhinyear 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 98.
Besyde the Kirk of Field, upon prouisioun set purpois and foirthocht fellony 1573 Justiciary Rec. (Bks. Adjournal) MS 6.
Apoun auld feid, sett purpois, prouisioun and forethocht fellonye 1582 Jurid. Rev. IV (1892) 110. c1590 Fraser Wigtown (1877) 392. 1627 Justiciary Cases I 69.

2. The providential dealing of God; providence.(a) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 163.
Suppois it war nocht Godis prouisioun a1500 Henr. III 127/45.
Be the grit prouisioun Of God aboif 1490 Irland Mir. I 44/13.
All temporale thingis cummys be the prouisioune of God 1518 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 45.
Ane venerable fader, be the provissioun of God, abbot … of Kelso 1548 Cal. Sc. P. I 171.
Provitioun 1551 Hamilton Cat. 127.
To put our hail traist … in His … gracious provisioun in all our necessiteis(b) a1578 Pitsc. II 100/9.
Provesioun

3. The action of providing.

a. The action of seeing to, arranging or preparing in advance. b. The supplying of what is necessary for future or immediate use.Const. of the person or establishment allowed provision, also of the thing provided.(1) 1456 Hay I 255/22.
That the pape suld se for hasty provisioun and remede of misgovernaunce of realmes subject to him Ib. II 102/29.
This lord is worthy tobe a prince that seis sa ferr before the perile and settis provisioun be his prudence c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 840.
The feist was set … With all prouisioun knychtis for to ma Ib. 3304.
He gart ordand sa gret provisioun That na man micht haue ischa or entrie In the toun c1515 Asl. MS I 209/10.
This samyn Eduard tynt the battell of Bannokburn … quhilk was ane ȝeris provisioun togidder 1533 Bell. Livy II 85/35.
& the derth ceissit … for mony victalis come be provisioun 1549 Compl. 13/16.
He changit the mater of that present lecture ande, but prouisione, he began to teche the ordour of the veyris 1560 Bk. Disc. 197.
[It is] contrariouse to … equitie that the wedow … suld … be left confortles of all provisioun 1573 Murray in Misc. Wodrow Soc. 289.
That … we be cairfull for the gude ordour and prouisioun of the policie of the Kirk a1578 Pitsc. I 115/1.
Quhen the king hard of this prouissioun of the Erle of Douglas he was gretlie effaired Ib. 155/1.
Provisieoun a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 698.
Provision in season, makes a rich meason 1678 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III 229.
Shall she have no provision at all? Has our law no remedy? Is it here mank?(2) 1600-1610 Melvill 37.
Giff sa he meinde [to make me a lawyer] … because he saw na provision for the ministerie … I can nocht tell 1681 Stair Inst. i v §7, (1832) 40.
The duty of provision of children comprehends not only their aliment and entertainment … during the parents' life, but also competent provision after the parents' death(3) c1489 Liber Aberbr. II 263.
For stuff off prouisione of houshald 1508–9 Reg. Privy S. I 276/1.
To the sustentatioun and provisioun of hir hous 1635 Nat. Lib. (Mar MS) 5158/1.
Depursit for house provisione £3000(4) 1606 Acts IV 298/2.
The realme quhilk onlie among all the Christiane kingdomes will … vant that … provisioun of ordinar musick(5) 1581 Acts III 211/1.
Anent prouisioun of ministeris … at all paroche kirkis

c. spec. Spiritual preparation for death. — a1500 Henr. Fab. 776 (H).
This suddane deith and vnprouisit end Of this fals tod without prouisioun [Bann. contritioun] Exempill is 1581 Bann. Memor. 338.
How the erle had diet so perfytlie and with sic kynd of speich as give he had died with the grittest provisione that ever man died

d. An advance arrangement. — c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1339.
For such provisions maid thus [L. ex tali prouisione]

4. A supply, store or stock of necessaries or provisions; articles required for a particular purpose, collectively. Also attrib.Sometimes including, or applied exclusively to, victuals or a money payment.Also pl., in the same sense.sing. (1) 1456 Hay I 288/1.
Before that ever he schape him for hors harnais na othir provisioun for the bataill c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 4181.
Sa that thai sould cum nevir into the toun Schip or galay to bring prouisioun c1475 Wall. xi 50.
Ye may at lasar waill With prouisioun agayn for till assaill 1523 Treas. Acc. V 226.
Lettrez … for provisioun of breid [etc.] … to be maid reddy for the army 1556 Knox IV 111.
And … I lack all carnall provisioun 1560 Treas. Acc. XI 33.
Certane broustaris appointit to preif the foirsaid provisioun in ale to be of sufficient stufe Ib. 34.
For grathing … of twa woltis to put the said provisioun in 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 580.
Breid, … aill, … meit and uther neidfull ludgeing and provisioun 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 28.
He come in … or the stage wer prepairit and furnischit, … he fand … all the provisioun for the play out of ordour 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 83.
Lieges … to addres thame with xx dayis provisioun, and pailȝeonis to ly on the feildis 1597–8 Household Bks. Jas. VI 28 Feb.
Prouisioun and meubles 1615 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 278.
These rebels ar in readines with fyve nichtis provisioun and lone 1617 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS App. 409/1.
Fed capons, pigeone, pertricks, pouttis, … leprons and young hares, and all othir provisioun of that kynd 1625 Justiciary Cases I 27. 1647 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 73.
Each suldior a knapseck for carieing provisioun 1667 Highland P. II 9.
That the natives were sending him provision secretlie — 1613 Edinb. Test. XLVII 244b.
I leiue him ane quoy becaus of his not provisioune(2) 1572 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxii.
A sufficient yeirlie provisioun in money and wictuellis must be granted to the Laird off Grange for intertenement of his garysoun 1634 Edinb. Test. LVI 254.
I … desiris my wyff to keip her [my natural daughter] … quhill it pleas God to send hir ane provisioun(3) 1546 Mill Mediæv. Plays 155 marg.
The maister of the grammer skuillis prouisioun [Text That … Hew Monro … haue … pament … of his ȝeirly pentioun] 1656 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 103.
[The schoolmaster … to be] payit his provision 1682 Ib. 212.
The provision of the schoolmaster was but meanattrib. 1597 Household Bks. Jas. VI 9 April.
Ane carcage of prouesyoun beifpl. 1456 Hay II 131/4.
The emotis gaderis to thair provisionis for aganis the wynter to thair nestis 1594 Aberd. Council Lett. I 58.
All kynd of provisions and viueris necessar for the … army 1613 Cranna Fraserburgh 208.
Complaint … against the … tennents of Pitbla for refusal of their parts of the schuelmaysters provisions 1617 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 32.
Warkmenis waiges with all necessarye provisionis and materiallis belonging thairto 1640 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 7.
For peyment to thame of the twa months provisiones — 1456 Hay II 102/20.
Gere opyn thy housis of thy provisiouns of cornis and wynis and othir nedefull thingis 1689 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 385.
That due provissiones of coall, candle [etc.] … be … furnished to the garisone

5. A document of appointment to a clerical vacancy, issued by the papacy. b. The appointment of a cleric to a particular living or kirk. c. The right to make such an appointment (for further examples, see Presentacioun(e n. 1 a (1)). d. The supply of ministers to churches. 1498 Acta Conc. II 281.
Be ane provisione of the Court of Rome rasit and gevin to him tharuppone [the see of Ross] 1508 Reg. Privy S. I 255/2.
Ay and quhill the provisioun and bullis of the sammyn [bischopric] be cummyn within the realme 1514–15 in Doug. (Sm.) I p. lvii.
I haue raisit ane prouisioun apoun the Deanry of Glasgow for Mastir Anthone Ogilbyb. 1562 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 16.
Persons … who have been otherwayes intrused [to kirks] … to make supplication for their provision 1593 Ib. III 806.
Anent the provisioun of ministers … to his majestie; that certaine be nominat … and the brethren to be lykit of his majestie to be placit and admittit be the presbytrie quher his grace salbe resident for the tyme 1593 Montg. Suppl. 322.
The persewaris prowisioun grantit to him throwcht the deceis of vmquhile bischope Iames Boyde Ib. 332.
The saidis prowisiounis standand cled with possessioun & authorized with decreittis, as said is 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 79/29.
Their prouision to bishopricks & benefices a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 193.
Yet any beneficed persone may seek generall letters conforme to his provisionec. 1565 Reg. Privy C. I 358.
Gif ony beneficit man sal happin to be slane … in this present army … the nerrist qualifiit persoun of his kin sal haif the presentatioun and provisioun of his benefice for that tyme allanerlied. 1615 Orkney Rentals App. 100.
Quhilk his majestie may susteane be allowing provisioun to everie ane of these unprovydit kirkis 1635 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 515.
To quhome … the care of plantacioune and provisione of kirkis belongis

6. An order or rule prescribing action or conduct in possible future circumstances. b. A stipulation, reservation or proviso.Heir (air) of provisioun, ‘one who receives his heritage by bequest and not by right of birth’ (SND, s.v. Provision n.).Bond of provision, a bond in which certain stipulations are made on behalf of, chiefly or only, the children of the party concerned.(1) 1582 Declar. Causis 32.
And … that suir prouision may be had how the further proceding in this dangerus practise salbe snibbed and cut of 1587 Acts III 436/1.
With sic prouisionis limitationis and restrictionis as to his majestie sall seme expedient 1590 Welwod 47.
Deciding of … debates … according to the prouision of lawe and use of the land 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 17/10.
I onely vse this prouision, that … they may content them selues … with their owne opinions 1616 Irvine Mun. II 49.
That ilk commissioner sall mak thair report of his majesties provesion to thair … counsall(2) 1566 Boyd Fam. P. No. 53.
With this provisioune that this present reuersioune [etc.] 1589 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 30 April.
With this prouitione that geif [etc.] … that he salbe payit of the said fourty merkis a1651 Calderwood II 245.
With provisioun that he be not burthenned with kirks speaking the Irish tongue 1670 Orkney Rentals App. 62.(3) 1626 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 254.
Haveing … rycht to the saidis landis … as air of provisioun … or as haveing rycht thairto be bastardrie, last air, or vtherwayes 1689 Ib. III 49.
As nearest heir of taillie and provision to his grandfather — 1650 Glasgow Chart. II 10.
Me and my airis, alsweill maill lyne tailyie as provisione(4) 1678 Dunkeld Presb. I 287.
[Mr. Alexander Balneavis … witnessed a bond of provision … for infefting Anna Prestoun … in liferent, in the lands of Pitfour] 1681 Stair Inst. i v §6.
And the delivery of such bonds of provision makes them irrevocable, whether the delivery be to the children, or to any other for their behoof 1685 Decis. Lords F. 75.
If the father had granted a bond of provision to his daughter; that the tocher might be ascrived in satisfaction therof 1689 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 418.

7. In the phr. to mak provisioune, in various of the above senses: = Provid(e v., in various senses.

a. To make ready; to make preparation; to make advance arrangements; to supply necessaries for; to provide for the needs of. Cf. Provid(e v. 2 and 9.Const. also for (a person), for or again (an event), for (doing) or to (do something), and noun cl. compl.(1) c1475 Wall. iii 272.
Trewis it wordis [= it is necessary (to)] tak Quhill eft for him prowisioune we may mak 1498 Acta Conc. II 287.
Warnyng the pepill … to mak provisioun in every schyre … for … the Lordis of Consale 1560 Bk. Disc. 197.
That honest provisioun be maid for the ministeris … for thair awin sustentatioun … [and] for thair wiffis and childrene efter thame(2) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 2723.
All this for were his prouisioun he makis 1489 Treas. Acc. I 115.
To mak provision again the kingis passing to Duchale a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 850 (Harl.).
Eik for the thingis … As hewyn and hell we mak na prouisioun 1545 Corr. M. Lorraine 150.
And hes maid provesione for keiping of your tennandis fra … sorny[ng] the best I could a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xcvii 70.
Makand thair awin prouisioun For oure grit scaythe and lesioun a1578 Pitsc. I 342/28.
Thair was nevir sic provisioun nor preparatioun maid for na tryumphe nor meiting that evir was(3) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1000 (B).
Bot haist ws quhill the king is ȝung … And lat ws mak provisioun Or he cum to discretioun a1578 Pitsc. I 191/27.
Prince Harie maid his prowisioun to … saill to Ingland 1589 Douglas Corr. 241.
To mak prowysioun boyth in wyne and aill and vther pertinences, for twa or thre dayis at leist c1590 Fowler II 157/5.
Men … may mak gud provisioun to keip him [the flood] in his naturel course a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 98.
And Mortoun had maid provision … for feasting of sum nobles(4) 1591–2 St. A. Kirk S. 725 n.
Quhill ordinar provisioun wer maid that thai have the … sacramentis ministrat unto thaime

b. To lay down legal provisions. Cf. Provid(e v. 3. 1576 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 377.
If provision be not shortly made hereunto, no man may brooke his wife, nor no wife her husband longer than they lyke

c. = Provid(e v. 3 b. — 1611 Reg. Panmure I xxix.
Hir father had only tua dauchters, the second wos marrit on the laird of Balnamone Collas, bot he maid prowisione of his landis to the hows of Dwncrowbe

d. To make provision (of a person or thing needed); to supply or furnish. Cf. Provid(e v. 6. 1456 Hay I 255/19.
For dout that the realme suld be mysgovernyt, the pape hastit to mak provisioun of a king 1623 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I 242.
That … he may haif … laser to mak his provisioun and furnissing frome beyond sea

e. To make provision (for a person or his needs). Cf. Provid(e v. 10. 1562 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 9.
All wder decayt purell … to be billit, that … provisioun may be maid for tham a1578 Pitsc. I 180/27.
Thir nobill men come in Scottland … and thair maid provitioun for thair airmie 1598 Dickson & Edmond Ann. Sc. Printing 356.
I will it [the money] to be put in the handis of Mr. Alexander Guthrie, … vntill securitie and prouisioun be maid for nocht molesting and trubling of the rest

8. comb. in provisione-making [cf. e.m.E. (1564).]Cf. 7 a above. 1494 Treas. Acc. I 238.
For provisione making agane the haulding of the airis 1545 Corr. M. Lorraine 135.
Thar is gryt prowysyon makand in Carleill to rasaif the army