I. Foresight, foreknowledge: “providentia est, per quam futurum aliquid videtur ante quam factum sit,” Cic. Inv. 2, 53, 160: “timoris tormentum memoria reducit, providentia anticipat,” Sen. Ep. 5, 9.—
II. Foresight, forethought, forecast, precaution, providence (cf. prudentia): “deorum providentiā mundum administrari,” Cic. Div. 1, 51, 117; cf. id. N. D. 1, 8, 18; 2, 22, 58; Quint. 11, 1, 23: “alterum ex providentiā timorem afferre solet,” Sall. J. 7, 5: “plurimum tibi et usus et providentiae superest,” Plin. Ep. 3, 19, 9: “jam te providentia deorum primum in locum provexerat,” id. Pan. 10, 4.—With object. gen.: “neque feriendi neque declinandi providentia,” Tac. H. 4, 29: “providentia filiorum suorum,” Dig. 33, 1, 7 fin.—In plur.: “agnosce bonitatem dei ex providentiis,” Tert. adv. Marc. 2, 4 fin.—
B. Transf.
1. The government of the world by infinite wisdom and foresight, providence (post-class.): “tua, Pater, providentia gubernat,” Vulg. Sap. 14, 3; id. Act. 24, 2.—
2. Providence, as a designation of the Deity (post-Aug.): “vis illum (deum) providentiam dicere? recte dices,” Sen. Q. N. 2, 45, 2: “oratio, quā nihil praestantius homini dedit providentia,” Quint. 1, 10, 7; 1, 12, 19; 6 praef. § 4; 5, 12, 19; 10, 1, 109; 12, 1, 2; App. M. 6, p. 179, 12.—
3. Providentia, Providence, personified as a goddess, a transl. of the Gr. Πρόνοια, Macr. S. 1, 17.
