n. & v.
--n.
1. a the act or an instance of providing (made no provision for his future). b something provided (a provision of bread).
2 (in pl.) food, drink, etc., esp. for an expedition.
3 a a legal or formal statement providing for something. b a clause of this.
4 Eccl. hist. an appointment to a benefice not yet vacant (cf. PROVIDE 5).
--v.tr. supply (an expedition etc.) with provisions.
Derivatives:
provisioner n. provisionless adj. provisionment n.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L provisio -onis (as PROVIDE)