What does "provision" mean?

Provision: That which is provided or prepared; that which is brought together or arranged in advance; measures taken beforehand; preparation. Making provision for the relief of strangers. Bacon.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Especially, a stock of food; any kind of eatables collected or stored; -- often in the plural. And of provisions laid in large, For man and beast. Milton.
  2. 3.That which is stipulated in advance; a condition; a previous agreement; a proviso; as, the provisions of a contract; the statute has many provisions.
  3. 4.(R. C. Ch.) A canonical term for regular induction into a benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and installation.
  4. 5.(Eng. Hist.) A nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of presentation. Blackstone.
  5. 6.To supply with food; to victual; as, to provision a garrison. They were provisioned for a journey. Palfrey.

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