■ noun
1》 a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition.
↘reasonable grounds for a belief or action.
2》 a principle or movement which one is prepared to defend or advocate.
↘something deserving of support.
3》 a matter to be resolved in a court of law.
↘an individual's case offered at law.
■ verb make (something, especially something bad) happen; be the ~ of.
Phrases
~ and effect the relationship between an action or event and the effect that it produces.
make common ~ unite in order to achieve a shared aim.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~r noun
Origin
ME: from OFr., from L. causa (n.), causare (v.).