Cause Definition
kôz
caused, causes, causing
noun
causes
Anything producing an effect or result.
Webster's New World
A person or thing acting voluntarily or involuntarily as the agent that brings about an effect or result.
Drinking was the cause of his downfall.
Webster's New World
A reason, motive, or ground for some action, feeling, etc.; esp., sufficient reason.
Cause for complaint.
Webster's New World
A goal or principle served with dedication and zeal.
American Heritage
Any objective or movement that a person or group is interested in and supports, esp. one involving social reform.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
caused, causes, causing
To be the cause of or reason for; result in.
American Heritage
To be the cause of; bring about; make happen; effect, induce, produce, compel, etc.
Webster's New World
To set off an event or action.
The lightning caused thunder.
Wiktionary
conjuntion
Because.
American Heritage
Because.
Webster's New World
idiom
make common cause with
- to work together with toward the same objective; join forces with
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Cause
- make common cause with
Origin of Cause
-
From Middle English cause, from Old French cause (“a cause, a thing”), from Latin causa (“reason, sake, cause”), in Medieval Latin also "a thing". Origin uncertain. See accuse, excuse. Displaced native Middle English sake (“cause, reason”) (from Old English sacu (“cause”)), Middle English andweorc, andwork (“matter, cause”) (from Old English andweorc (“matter, thing, cause”)).
From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old French from Latin causa reason, purpose
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Cause Is Also Mentioned In
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