cause

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a justification for something existing or happening

   We had no cause to complain.

2. 2
   noun

   events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

   they are trying to determine the cause of the crash

3. 3
   verb

   to cause to do

   cause to act in a specified manner

4. 4
   verb

   to give rise to

   The dictator's harsh suppression of the rebels caused an even greater rebellion.

5. 5
   noun

   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.

6. 6
   noun

   Sufficient reason.

   There is no cause for alarm.

7. 7
   noun

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

   God befriend us, as our cause is just.

8. 8
   noun

   Sake; interest; advantage.

   I did it not for his cause.

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.