D defs.my
Menu ☰
Entry 9 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Cause

/(ka̤z)/ · IPA /kɔːz/
01 n. That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.
  1. 1.
    That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.
    “Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to make one thing begin to be.” — Locke.
  2. 2.
    That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
  3. 3.
    Sake; interest; advantage.[Obs.]
    “I did it not for his cause.” — 2 Cor. vii. 12.
  4. 4.
    A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.(Law)
  5. 5.
    Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.
    “What counsel give you in this weighty cause!” — Shak.
  6. 6.
    The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and upheld by a person or party; a principle which is advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain.
    “God befriend us, as our cause is just.” — Shak.
    “The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause.” — Burke.
Phrases & compounds
Efficient cause — the agent or force that produces a change or result.
Final cause — the end, design, or object, for which anything is done.
Formal cause — the elements of a conception which make the conception or the thing conceived to be what it is; or the idea viewed as a formative principle and cooperating with the matter.
Material cause — that of which anything is made.
Proximate cause — See under Proximate.
To make common cause with — to join with in purposes and aims.
Syn. Origin; source; mainspring; motive; reason; incitement; inducement; purpose; object; suit; action.
02 v. t. To effect as an agent; to produce; to be the occasion of; to bring about; to bring into existence; to make; -- usually followed by an infin…
imp. & p. p. Caused; p. pr. & vb. n. Causing
  1. 1.
    To effect as an agent; to produce; to be the occasion of; to bring about; to bring into existence; to make; -- usually followed by an infinitive, sometimes by that with a finite verb.
    “I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days.” — Gen. vii. 4.
    “Cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans.” — Col. iv. 16.
Syn. To create; produce; beget; effect; occasion; originate; induce; bring about.
03 v. i. To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
  1. 1.
    To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.[Obs.]
04 conj. Abbreviation of Because.
  1. 1.
    Abbreviation of Because. See: Because