provision

[Fr., from Lat. provisionem, acc us. of provisio =a foreseeing, foresight, provision, from provisus, pa. par. of pro video =to provide (q. v.); Sp. provision; Ital. pro vis i one.] I. Ordinary Language : 1. The act of providing beforehand; previous preparation. "Five days we do allot thee for provision." Shakesp.: Lear, i. 1. 2. A measure taken beforehand; a precautionary measure taken to provide against contingencies. 3. The providing or accumulation of stores or materials for a proposed undertaking; a stock or store provided beforehand. "He had made such vast provision of materials for the temple." -South : Sermons, 4. A stipulation or condition; a measure proposed in an enactment or the like; a proviso. "No provision made for the abolishing of their barbarous customs."-Davies: On Ireland. 5. A stock or store of food provided; hence food generally; victuals, eatables, provender. *II. Eccles .: The previous nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, by which act the rightful patron was deprived of his right of presentation. Provisions were made by Clement V. about A. D., 1307 it being stated that all ecclesiastical benefices belonged to the pope. John XXII. (A. D. 1316-1334) gave them an increased impulse. The Council of Basle abolished them March 25, 1436.