providential

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree Latin prōvidēns Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ia Latin prōvidentia Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English providential From Latin prōvidentia (“providence”) + English -al.

1. Pertaining to divine providence.

   “The same belief underlay the providential view of history, in which the rise and fall of nations appeared as the expression of God's unsearchable purposes.”

2. Fortunate, as if occurring through the intervention of Providence.

   ““Why, Jane,” he cried, “what do you mean? What has our providential rescue to do with altering your feelings toward me? You are but unstrung—tomorrow you will be yourself again.””