'Cause' definitions:

Definition of 'cause'

(from WordNet)
noun
Events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something; "they are trying to determine the cause of the crash"
noun
A justification for something existing or happening; "he had no cause to complain"; "they had good reason to rejoice" [syn: cause, reason, grounds]
noun
A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the cause of world peace"; "the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant"; "the movement to end slavery"; "contributed to the war effort" [syn: campaign, cause, crusade, drive, movement, effort]
noun
Any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results [syn: causal agent, cause, causal agency]
noun
A comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy; "the family brought suit against the landlord" [syn: lawsuit, suit, case, cause, causa]
verb
Give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally; "cause a commotion"; "make a stir"; "cause an accident" [syn: cause, do, make]
verb
Cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner; "The ads induced me to buy a VCR"; "My children finally got me to buy a computer"; "My wife made me buy a new sofa" [syn: induce, stimulate, cause, have, get, make]

Definition of 'Cause'

From: GCIDE
  • Cause \Cause\ (k[add]z), 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to make one thing begin to be. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Sake; interest; advantage. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • I did it not for his cause. --2 Cor. vii. 12. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general. [1913 Webster]
  • What counsel give you in this weighty cause! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • God befriend us, as our cause is just. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. --Macaulay.
  • Syn: Origin; source; mainspring; motive; reason; incitement; inducement; purpose; object; suit; action. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Cause'

From: GCIDE
  • Cause \Cause\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Caused; p. pr. & vb. 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. [1913 Webster]
  • I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days. --Gen. vii. 4. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Cause'

From: GCIDE
  • Cause \Cause\, v. i. To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Cause'

From: GCIDE
  • Cause \Cause\, conj. Abbreviation of Because. --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'cause'

From: Moby Thesaurus