cause

conj

1. Alternative form of 'cause; because

   “Why not? Cause I don't wanna.”

noun

Etymology: * 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.

1. The source of, or reason for, an event or action; that which produces or effects a result.

   “They identified a burst pipe as the cause of the flooding.”

   “We thanke you both, yet one but flatters vs, As well appeareth by the cauſe you come, Namely, to appeale each other of high treaſon.”

2. Sufficient reason.

   “There is no cause for alarm.”

   “The end of the war was a cause for celebration.”

3. A goal, aim or principle, especially one which transcends purely selfish ends.

   “God befriend us, as our cause is just.”

   “The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause.”

4. Sake; interest; advantage.

   “I did it not for his cause.”

5. Any subject of discussion or debate; a matter; an affair.

   “What counsel give you in this weighty cause?”

6. 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.

verb

Etymology: * 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.

1. To set off an event or action; to bring about; to produce.

   “The lightning caused thunder.”

   “Serene, smiling, enigmatic, she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes.[…]She put back a truant curl from her forehead where it had sought egress to the world, and looked him full in the face now, drawing a deep breath which caused the round of her bosom to lift the lace at her throat.”

2. To actively produce as a result, by means of force or authority.

   “His dogged determination caused the fundraising to be successful.”

   “I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days.”

3. To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.

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