| 释义 |
providential, a. (n.)|prɒvɪˈdɛnʃəl|
[f. L. prōvidēntia providence + -al1. So F. providentiel (18–19th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
†1. Of the nature of or characterized by providence or foresight; provident, prudent. Obs.
1663Butler Hud. i. i. 758 Sure some mischief will come of it Unless by providential wit Or force we averruncate it. 1673H. Stubbe Further Vindic. Dutch War 17 Neither is it providential for a weak Prince..to run Precipitously into a War. 1794T. Taylor Pausanias I. 33, I especially admire..his providential care with respect to future contests. a1845Hood Open Question xiii, The tender Love Bird—or the filial Stork? The punctual Crane—the providential Raven?
2. Of, pertaining to, or ordained by divine providence. † providential right, the ‘divine right’ of kings (obs.).
1648Eikon Bas. x. 83, I do not think that I can want any thing which providentiall necessity is pleased to take from me. a1677Hale Prim. Orig. Man. i. i. 34 The necessity of a Providential Regiment of the parts of the Universe. 1695J. Sage The Article Wks. 1844 I. 345 Sure I am, here [i.e. in Knox's Letter] is the providential right, so plainly taught that no glosses can obscure it. 1736Butler Anal. i. v. Wks. 1874 I. 94 A providential disposition of things. 1768in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 277 Unless sickness or other providential accident hinders him. 1869M. Pattison Serm. (1885) 187 The existence of a first cause and providential governor.
b. That is, or is thought to be, by special interposition of providence; opportune; lucky, fortunate. (Now the most common use.)
1719De Foe Crusoe (1858) 264, I knew nothing that night of the supply I was to receive by the providential driving of the ship nearer the land. 1790Burke Fr. Rev. 25 [It] was by them considered as a providential escape. 1856Kane Arct. Expl. II. i. 27 Petersen caught another providential fox.
B. n. A providential occurrence; an interposition of Providence. rare.
1658–9in Burton's Diary (1828) III. 267 If you consider affairs in the providentials; all providences have rather bent that way. 1893Boston Congregationalist 14 Sept., Providentials... To consider whether certain particular occurrences were specially prepared to fit certain exigencies.
Hence proviˈdentialist, nonce-wd., a maintainer of the ‘providential’ or divine right of sovereigns.
1695J. Sage The Article Wks. 1844 I. 343 [Knox] may chance to be honoured as a Father by the Providentialists. |