cause Meaning, Definition & Usage

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
reason; grounds.
- he had no cause to complain
- they had good reason to rejoice
noun a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
campaign; drive; crusade; effort; movement.
- 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
noun any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
causal agent; causal agency.
noun a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
case; causa; lawsuit; suit.
- the family brought suit against the landlord
verb give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
do; make.
- cause a commotion
- make a stir
- cause an accident
verb cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
get; make; induce; have; stimulate.
- 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

F. cause, fr. L. causa. Cf. Cause, v., Kickshaw.

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.
That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
Sake; interest; advantage. Obs.
I did it not for his cause. 2 Cor. vii. 12.
(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.
Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.
What counsel give you in this weighty cause! Shak.
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. Shak.

The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause. Burke.
Macaulay. Syn. -- Origin; source; mainspring; motive; reason; incitement; inducement; purpose; object; suit; action.

F. causer, fr. cause, fr. L. causa. See Cause, n., and cf. Acouse.

imperfect & past participle Caused ; present participle & verb noun 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.

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.