cause

English

/kɔːz/, /kɔz/

noun
Definitions
  • (countable) The source of, or reason for, an event or action; that which produces or effects a result.
  • (uncountable) Sufficient reason for a state, as of emotion.
  • (countable) A goal, aim or principle, especially one which transcends purely selfish ends.
  • (obsolete) Sake; interest; advantage.
  • (countable) Any subject of discussion or debate; a matter; an affair.
  • (countable) 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.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English cause borrowed from Old French cause (a thing, a cause) derived from Latin causa (cause, reason, account, case, lawsuit, dispute, motive, reproach, sake).

Origin

Latin

causa

Gloss

cause, reason, account, case, lawsuit, dispute, motive, reproach, sake

Concept
Semantic Field

Cognition

Ontological Category

Person/Thing

Kanji

理

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms