Etymologically
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provisio

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [proːˈwiː.si.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [proˈviː.s̬i.o][1]

Forms

prōvīsiō f (genitive prōvīsiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from prōvideō “to foresee, provide” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD and Lewis & Short cite Cicero's Tusculans and Partitiones, of foreseeing.[2][4] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

In Cicero it was a foreseeing, foresight, precognition, and forethought, provision against something.[2][4][6]

In Medieval Latin it meant prudence, wisdom; guidance, management; the filling of a vacancy, and especially the appointment to a church benefice by a bishop or the pope; a measure, regulation; and purveyance.[7] British Medieval Latin also had dīvīna prōvīsiō, divine providence, as in Bede.[8] English provision (late 14th century, “foresight”, often of church appointments made in advance) came through Old French.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of foresight.[2][5]
  • early 8th century – Bede uses it of divine care.[8]
  • late 14th century – English provision is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Foresight, precognition.[2]
  2. Forethought, precaution.[4]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Management, government; a measure.[7]
  4. (Medieval Latin) Appointment to a benefice, provision.[7][9]
  5. (Medieval Latin) Purveyance.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ a b c d Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  8. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  9. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson