in Roman antiquity, a country of considerable extent, which, upon being entirely reduced under the Roman dominion, was new-modelled according to the pleasure of the conquerors, and subjected to the command of annual governors sent from Rome; being commonly obliged to pay such taxes and contributions as the senate thought fit to demand.

Of these countries, that part of France next the Alps was one, and still retains the name Provence.

Nicod derives the word à procu vivendo, "living afar off;" but it is better deduced from pro and vinco, "I overcome."

in Geography, a division of a kingdom or state, comprising several cities, towns, &c. all under the same government, and usually distinguished by the extent either of the civil or ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

The church distinguishes its provinces by archbishoprics; in which sense, England is divided into two provinces, Canterbury and York.

The United Provinces are seven provinces of the Netherlands, who, revolting from the Spanish dominion, made a perpetual alliance, offensive and defensive, at Utrecht, anno 1579. See UNITED PROVINCES.