Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The quality of being prudent.
  • noun Regard for self-interest; worldly wisdom; policy.
  • noun Knowledge; science. Compare jurisprudence.
  • noun Synonyms Discretion, Providence, etc. (see wisdom), judiciousness, care, considerateness, caution, circumspection, judgment, wariness.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
  • noun discretion in practical affairs

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Old French prudence.

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Examples

Comments

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  • I used to like this word, but, for various reasons, it now reminds me of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who I am finding increasingly disappointing and irritating!

    January 6, 2008

  • I never really liked it, but now that it seems to be associated with former president George H.W. Bush, I hardly ever hear it anymore. Though actually that word is more properly prudent, not prudence...

    January 7, 2008

  • 'Dear Prudence' - The Beatles.

    February 8, 2008