# cause

Pronunciation: say "KAWZ" US /kɔz/, UK /kɔːz/

## Verb

1. To make something happen or come into being, either directly or by ordering or arranging it.
   - Simple: To make something happen, either by doing it yourself or by getting it done.
   - _The new policy caused widespread confusion among employees._
   - _Smoking can cause serious damage to the lungs._

## Noun

2. The source of or reason for an event or action; the thing that produces a result.
   - Simple: The thing that makes something else happen.
   - _Investigators identified a faulty heater as the cause of the blaze._
   - _Doctors say stress is a common cause of headaches and poor sleep._
3. A goal, aim, or principle that someone supports, especially one that goes beyond purely selfish interests.
   - Simple: A goal or belief that people work for, often to help others.
   - _Thousands marched for the cause of equal rights._
   - _He devoted his life to humanitarian causes around the world._
5. Sufficient reason for an action, belief, or feeling.
   - Simple: A good enough reason to do or feel something.
   - _The committee found no cause to dismiss the complaint._
   - _Her behavior gave them cause for concern._
6. A suit or legal action in court; the process by which a party seeks to obtain a claim or asserted right.
   - Simple: A case or claim that someone brings to a court of law.
   - _Having reviewed the record, the appeals court reversed the judgment and remanded the cause for a new trial._
   - _Motions in pending causes must be filed with the clerk at least ten days before the hearing._

## Conjunction

4. Alternative form of 'cause. Because, in an informal shortened form. *(colloquial)* — Alternative form of 'cause; because
   - Simple: Alternative form of 'cause. A casual, shortened way to say 'because'.
   - _She didn't answer cause she was already asleep._
   - _They canceled the trip cause the roads were closed._

## Noun

7. Sake, interest, or advantage; the benefit of a person or group. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Someone's benefit, interest, or good.
8. A subject of discussion or debate; a matter or affair brought up for consideration. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A matter or subject that people talk about or argue over.

## Verb

9. To assign or show a reason for something; to offer an excuse for one's conduct. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To give a reason for something, or to make an excuse.

## Origin

English borrowed "cause" from Old French "cause," which came from Latin "causa" (reason, sake, cause). The Latin word traces back to Proto-Italic *kaussā, whose ultimate origin is unknown. It is a doublet of "chose" and is related to "accuse," "excuse," and "recuse."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/cause (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).