Pro*vi"so (?), n.; pl.
Provisos (#). [L., (it) being provided, abl. of
provisus, p. p. of providere. See Provide, and
cf. Purview.] An article or clause in any statute,
agreement, contract, grant, or other writing, by which a condition is
introduced, usually beginning with the word provided; a
conditional stipulation that affects an agreement, contract, law,
grant, or the like; as, the contract was impaired by its
proviso.
He doth deny his prisoners,
But with proviso and exception.
Shak.