Cause - Definition

n 1: events that provide the generative force that is the origin
of something; "they are trying to determine the cause of
the crash"
2: a justification for something existing or happening; "he had
no cause to complain"; "they had good reason to rejoice"
[syn: cause, reason, grounds]
3: a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a
particular end; "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" [syn: campaign, cause,
crusade, drive, movement, effort]
4: any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for
events or results [syn: causal agent, cause, causal
agency]
5: a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law
whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy; "the family
brought suit against the landlord" [syn: lawsuit, suit,
case, cause, causa]
v 1: give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always
intentionally; "cause a commotion"; "make a stir"; "cause
an accident" [syn: cause, do, make]
2: cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner; "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" [syn: induce,
stimulate, cause, have, get, make]