Cause

1. That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.
2. That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
3. Sake; interest; advantage.
4. (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.
5. Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.
6. 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.
Efficient cause ,
the agent or force that produces a change or result.
Final cause ,
the end, design, or object, for which anything is done.
Formal cause ,
the elements of a conception which make the conception or the thing conceived to be what it is; or the idea viewed as a formative principle and coöperating with the matter.
Material cause ,
that of which anything is made.
Proximate cause .
See under Proximate.
To make common cause with ,
to join with in purposes and aims.

1. 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.
   

1. To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
   

1. Abbreviation of Because.