proviˈdentially, adv.
[f. providential a. (n.) + -ly2.]
In a providential manner.
† 1. With foresight; providently, prudently. Obs.
| 1614 Raleigh Hist. World v. i. §10. 366 The victuallers, which the Consull Iunius, more hastily than prouidentially, had sent before him towards Lilybæum. 1619 J. Chamberlain in Crt. & Times Jas. I (1848) II. 184 Enabling himself to live more providentially hereafter. |
2. By the ordination of divine providence.
| 1651 G. W. tr. Cowel's Inst. 64 But there is another Species of accession which is providentially naturall and is made by the cooperation of divine and humane nature from whence a property is acquired. 1654 Cromwell Speech 12 Sept. in Carlyle, A desire..to be quit of the power God had most providentially put into my hands, before he called me to lay it down. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 432 ¶2 The Geese were providentially ordained to save the Capitol. 1857 Ruskin Pol. Econ. Art 111 Pines and lettuces..don't grow Providentially sweet and large unless we look after them. |
b. By special intervention of Providence; by special chance; opportunely, fortunately. (Now the most common use.)
| 1719 De Foe Crusoe (1840) II. viii. 179 Providentially it was so. 1771 Hist. in Ann. Reg. 68/2 Providentially a happier temper prevailed in general. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. xv, Several frowns and winks from Mrs. K., which providentially stopped him. 1888 Burgon Twelve Good Men I. i. 34 A great separation was thus providentially averted. |
So proviˈdentialness.
| 1727 Bailey vol. II, Providentialness, the Happening of a Thing by divine Providence, Providential effect. 1903 E. Wharton Sanctuary i. i. 10 The sense of general providentialness on which Mrs. Peyton reposed. |