CAUSE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin causa Date: 13th century 1. a reason for an action or condition ; motive , something that brings about an effect or a result, a person or thing that is the occasion of an action or state, sufficient reason , 2. a ground of legal action, case , a matter or question to be decided, 4. a principle or movement militantly defended or supported, a charitable undertaking , ~less adjective II. transitive verb (~d; causing) Date: 14th century to serve as a ~ or occasion of , to compel by command, authority, or force , ~r noun