Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Cause
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 rejoicing3.
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
! Shakespeare
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. Shakespeare
The part they take against me is from zeal to the
cause
. Burke.
Syn. – Origin; source; mainspring; motive; reason; incitement; inducement; purpose; object; suit; action.
Cause
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Caused
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Causing
.] 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.
Syn. – To create; produce; beget; effect; occasion; originate; induce; bring about.
Cause
,Verb.
I.
To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Cause
CAUSE
,Noun.
1.
A suit or action in court; any legal process which a party institutes to obtain his demand, or by which he seeks his right or his supposed right. This is a legal, scriptural and popular use of the word, coinciding nearly with case from cado, and action from ago, to urge or drive.The cause of both parties shall come before the judges. Ex. 22.
2.
That which produces an effect; that which impels into existence, or by its agency or operation produces what did not before exist; that by virtue of which any thing is done; that from which any thing proceeds, and without which it would not exist.Cause is a substance exerting its power into act, to make a thing begin to be.
3.
The reason or motive that urges, moves, or impels the mind to act or decide.For this cause have I raised up Pharaoh. Ex. 9.
And David said, is there not a cause? 1 Sam. 17.
4.
Sake; account.I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong. 2 Cor. 6. [See Sake.]
5.
That which a party or nation pursues; or rather pursuit, prosecution of an object. We say, Bible Societies are engaged in a noble cause. [See the first definition.] Hence the word cause is used to denote that which a person or thing favors; that to which the efforts of an intelligent being are directed; as, to promote religion is to advance the cause of God. So we say, the cause of truth or of justice. In all its applications, cause retains something of its original meaning, struggle, impelling force, contest, effort to obtain or to effect something.6.
Without cause, without good reason; without a reason or motive to justify the act.They hate me without cause. Ps. 35. 69.
CAUSE
, v.t.1.
To produce; to bring into existence.They caused great joy to all the brethren. Acts 15.
2.
To effect by agency, power or influence.I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days. Gen. 7.
I will cause him to fall by the sword. 2 Kings 19.
CAUSE
,Verb.
I.