Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Because
Be-cause′
,c
onj.
[OE.
bycause
; by
+ cause
.] 1.
By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that.
Milton.
2.
In order that; that.
[Obs.]
And the multitude rebuked them
because
they should hold their peace. Matt. xx. 31.
Because of
, by reason of, on account of.
[Prep. phrase.]
Because of
these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Eph. v. 6.
These particles are used, in certain connections, to assign the reason of a thing, or that “on account of” which it is or takes place. Because (by cause) is the strongest and most emphatic; as, I hid myself because I was afraid. For is not quite so strong; as, in Shakespeare, “I hate him, for he is a Christian.” Since is less formal and more incidental than because; as, I will do it since you request me. It more commonly begins a sentence; as, Since your decision is made, I will say no more. As is still more incidental than since, and points to some existing fact by way of assigning a reason. Thus we say, as I knew him to be out of town, I did not call. Inasmuch as seems to carry with it a kind of qualification which does not belong to the rest. Thus, if we say, I am ready to accept your proposal, inasmuch as I believe it is the best you can offer, we mean, it is only with this understanding that we can accept it.
Webster 1828 Edition
Because
BECAUSE
, becauz' a compound word. [ See By and Cause.]By cause, or by the cause; on this account; for the cause which is explained in the next proposition; for the reason next explained. Thus, I fled, because I was afraid, is to be thus resolved; I fled, by the cause, for the cause, which is mentioned in the next affirmation, viz. I was afraid. Hence, cause being a noun, because may be regularly followed by of.
The spirit is life, because of righteousness.
Because of these cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.