1. (n.) The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; a making ready; preparation.
2. (n.) Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself, regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience.
3. (n.) A manifestation of the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures; an event ordained by divine direction.
4. (n.) Prudence in the management of one's concerns; economy; frugality.