Cause (kôz), n. [F.
cause, fr. L. causa. Cf. Cause,
v., Kickshaw.] 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. That which is the occasion of an
action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for
rejoicing.
3. Sake; interest; advantage.
[Obs.]
I did it not for his cause.
2 Cor. vii. 12.
4. (Law) 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.
5. Any subject of discussion or debate;
matter; question; affair in general.
What counsel give you in this weighty
cause!
Shak.
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.
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 coöperating 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.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Origin; source; mainspring; motive; reason;
incitement; inducement; purpose; object; suit; action.
Cause, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Caused (?); p. pr. & v. n.
Causing.] [F. causer, fr. cause, fr. L.
causa. See Cause, n., and cf.
Acouse.] 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.
Cause, v. i. To assign or show
cause; to give a reason; to make excuse. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Cause, conj. Abbreviation of
Because. B. Jonson.