pro·vi·so·ry \-zərē, -ri\adjective Etymology: French or Medieval Latin; French provisoire, from Medieval Latin provisorius, from Latin provisus (past participle of providēre to provide) + -orius -ory — more at provide 1.: containing or subject to a proviso : conditional < a provisory clause > 2.: provisional 1 < human institutions as provisory and precarious — Edmund Wilson >