prudence
(ˈpruːdəns)
Also 6 Sc. prowdence, proudens.
[a. F. prudence (13th c. in Littré), ad. L. prūdēntia foresight, sagacity, skill, prudence, contr. from prōvidēntia providence.]
The quality of being prudent.
1. Ability to discern the most suitable, politic, or profitable course of action, esp. as regards conduct; practical wisdom, discretion.
| 1340 Ayenb. 125 Prudence lokeþ þane scele þet hi ne bi becaȝt. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 9 With a mantelle of prudens clad thou be. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems ix. 77 Enarming me, With fortitude, prowdence, and temperance. c 1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) vi. 39, I will..pleiss hir proudens to imprent it. a 1639 W. Whately Prototypes i. xi. (1640) 102 Prudence is a vertue by which a man doth worke rightly to happinesse. 1752 Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 3 Beyond all bounds of prudence and discretion. 1820 Byron Mar. Fal. i. ii, You so forget All prudence in your fury. 1850 S. Dobell Roman vii, Prudence, the soul's stern sacristan. |
b. An instance of this; a prudent act.
| 1667 Waterhouse Fire Lond. 36 In despight of those wonted prudences, and usual resistances. 1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Col. Reformer (1891) 291 A night when the ordinary prudences and severities of conscience might be..placed behind the perceptions. |
† 2. Wisdom; knowledge of or skill in a matter. Cf. jurisprudence. Obs.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints iii. (Andreas) 1019 For, gyf hym wantis sic prudence [to answer questions], he suld nocht cum in ȝour presence. 1382 Wyclif Eph. iii. 4 As ȝe redinge mown vndirstonde my prudence in the mysterie of Crist. 1388 ― Jas. Prol., In othere epistolis..hou myche fro oure otheris making discordith, I leue to the prudence of the redere. 1609 Bible (Douay) Baruch iii. 9 Harken with your eares, that you may know prudence. 1660 Stanley Hist. Philos. ix. (1701) 350/2 He..resigned him⁓self to the most exact prudence of the Magi to be formed. a 1859 R. Choate Addresses (1878) 235 In his [Webster's] profession of politics, nothing..worthy of attention had escaped him; nothing of the ancient or modern prudence. |
† 3. Foresight, providence. Obs.
| a 1619 M. Fotherby Atheom. ii. xi. §6 (1622) 320 Then must it be, either by Chance, or by Prudence. 1685 Boyle Enq. Notion Nat. vi. 239 'Tis my settled opinion that Divine prudence is often at least conversant in a peculiar manner, about the actions of men. |
† 4. Alleged term for a ‘company’ of vicars. Obs.
| 1486 Bk. St. Albans F vj, A Prudens of vikeris. |