† providencyn.

1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 258 I haue..often doubted whether Saint Ambrose deserued more commendation for his prouidencie in attempting such a matter: or the emperor for his patience and obedience in taking the same in so good part.

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 204 Yet we haue not been wanting in our prouidency.

1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. xxxviii. 327 Of prescience of future euentes, prouidencies, the knowing of thinges neuer seene before; and such other actions.

1666 J. Beale Let. 31 Oct. in R. Boyle Corr. (2001) III. 258 Mr Glanvill intendeth something Theologically in defence of the Emergent Providencyes for the Seasone of all ages.

1789 G. Townsend King's Recovery 47 By Elizabeth and her able statesmen, nobles and senators, means were used for defence–a fleet equipped–an army raised, and all that human providency or discretion could point out.

1798 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 1st Ser. V. 7 They are, in a great degree, strangers to that providency which suggests the importance of doing those things in time.

1827 ‘J. Hinds’ Vet. Surgeon ii. i. 269 By this providency of nature we see how it is that malevolent particles in the blood are cleansed at the kidneys.

1849 W. M. Wood Wandering Sketches xx. 264 The whole establishment evidenced some female providency.