prudence

Etymology

From Middle English prudence, from Old French prudence, from Latin prūdentia, alternative form of prōvidentia.

noun

  1. The quality or state of being prudent
    Prudence like experience must be paid for 1777, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for Scandal, IV.iii
    Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the selection of right means for given ends 1845, William Whewell, The Elements of Morality: Including Polity
    With 3,600 h.p. underfoot, acceleration was reasonably brisk, but the flickering wheel-slip indicator light showed the prudence of not putting full power through the traction motors while there were traces of early-morning dampness on the rails. 1960 August, R. K. Evans, “Railway Modernisation in Spain”, in Trains Illustrated, page 494
  2. Economy; frugality.

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