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Provision vs Precaution - What's the difference?

provision | precaution |

As nouns the difference between provision and precaution

is that provision is an item of goods or supplies, especially food, obtained for future use while precaution is previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.

As verbs the difference between provision and precaution

is that provision is to supply with provisions while precaution is : To warn or caution beforehand. --Locke.

provision

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An item of goods or supplies, especially food, obtained for future use.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • making provision for the relief of strangers
  • * Milton
    • And of provisions laid in large, / For man and beast.
  • The act of providing, or making previous preparation.
    • (Shakespeare)
  • Money set aside for a future event.
  • (accounting) A liability or contra account to recognise likely future adverse events associated with current transactions.
    • We increased our provision for bad debts on credit sales going into the recession.
  • (legal) A clause in a legal instrument, a law, etc., providing for a particular matter; stipulation; proviso.
    • An arrest shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
  • (Roman Catholic) Regular induction into a benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and installation.
  • (UK, historical) A nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of presentation.
    • (Blackstone)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To supply with provisions.

    • Synonyms

    * supply * victual

    Related terms

    * provisional * provisionings * provide

    precaution

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.
  • * John Henry Newman
    • The ancient philosophers treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution .
  • A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act.
    • to take precautions against risks of accident

    Derived terms

    * precautionary

    See also

    * prevention

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (transitive): To warn or caution beforehand. --.
  • (rare): To take precaution against. --.