Cause

1. 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.
2. To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
3. Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.
4. 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. Sake; interest; advantage.
6. That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.
7. Abbreviation of Because.
8. That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
9. 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.