Cause

//kɔːz// conj, noun, verb

Definitions

Conjunction
  1. 1
    Alternative form of 'cause; because alt-of, alternative

    "Why not? Cause I don't wanna."

Noun
  1. 1
    The source of, or reason for, an event or action; that which produces or effects a result. countable, often, with-of

    "They identified a burst pipe as the cause of the flooding."

  2. 2
    any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results wordnet
  3. 3
    Sufficient reason. especially, uncountable

    "There is no cause for alarm."

  4. 4
    a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end wordnet
  5. 5
    A goal, aim or principle, especially one which transcends purely selfish ends. countable

    "God befriend us, as our cause is just."

Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy wordnet
  2. 7
    Sake; interest; advantage. countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "I did it not for his cause."

  3. 8
    a justification for something existing or happening wordnet
  4. 9
    Any subject of discussion or debate; a matter; an affair. countable, obsolete

    "What counsel give you in this weighty cause?"

  5. 10
    events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something wordnet
  6. 11
    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. countable
Verb
  1. 1
    To set off an event or action; to bring about; to produce. transitive

    "The lightning caused thunder."

  2. 2
    cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner wordnet
  3. 3
    To actively produce as a result, by means of force or authority. ditransitive

    "His dogged determination caused the fundraising to be successful."

  4. 4
    give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally wordnet
  5. 5
    To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse. obsolete

    "He, to shifte their curious request, / Gan causen why she could not come in place."

Etymology

Etymology 1

* From Middle English cause (also with the sense of “a thing”), borrowed from Old French cause (“a cause, a thing”), borrowed from Latin causa (“reason, sake, cause”), from Proto-Italic *kaussā, which is of unknown origin. Doublet of chose (“(law) a thing; personal property”). See accuse, excuse, recuse, ruse. Displaced native Old English intinga. * From Middle English causen, Old French causer and Medieval Latin causāre.

Etymology 2

* From Middle English cause (also with the sense of “a thing”), borrowed from Old French cause (“a cause, a thing”), borrowed from Latin causa (“reason, sake, cause”), from Proto-Italic *kaussā, which is of unknown origin. Doublet of chose (“(law) a thing; personal property”). See accuse, excuse, recuse, ruse. Displaced native Old English intinga. * From Middle English causen, Old French causer and Medieval Latin causāre.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: cause