cause (
http://definr.com/cause)
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:
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,
crusade,
drive,
movement,
effort]
4: any entity that causes events to happen [syn:
causal agent,
causal agency]
5: (law) 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,
causa]
v 1: give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always
intentionally; "cause a commotion"; "make a stir";
"cause an accident" [syn:
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,
have,
get,
make]