- cause
- cause1 [ kɔz ] noun ***1. ) count an event, thing, or person that makes something happen:cause of: The pathologist's report established the cause of death as extensive chest injuries.The major cause of these accidents is speeding by drivers.underlying/root cause (=the basic cause, but not an obvious one): Doctors are now recognizing stress as the underlying cause of many illnesses.a ) cause and effect the principle that one thing causes another2. ) count or uncount a reason for behaving in a particular way or for feeling a particular emotion:cause for: His departure was cause for celebration in the village.no cause for concern/alarm: The doctor's report on the biopsy states that there is no cause for concern.without good cause: He wouldn't have done it without good cause (=a good reason).a ) have (good) cause to do something FORMAL to have a strong reason for doing, thinking, or feeling something:Alison had cause to be pleased with the way things had turned out.Judd's father had good cause to be proud of him.have no cause to do something: I have no cause to question his integrity.3. ) count a goal, idea, or organization that you support or work for, for example in politics:Campaigners hope that people will be sympathetic to their cause.champion a cause: He has championed (=strongly supported) the cause of renewable energy since the mid-1970s.a ) an organization, plan, or activity that you are willing to support because it provides help or benefit to people who need it:a good/worthy cause: Please give as much as you can: it's for a very worthy cause.all in a good cause: It may be hard work but it's all in a good cause.4. ) count LEGAL a case in a law court=> LOST CAUSEcausecause 2 [ kɔz ] verb transitive ***to make something happen, usually something bad:a politician who causes controversy wherever he goesThe fire was caused by an electrical fault.cause damage/problems/trouble: The storm caused widespread damage.cause someone/something to do something: An injury to the goalkeeper caused him to limp off after ten minutes.Greenhouse gases are widely believed to be causing the Earth's atmosphere to heat up.cause someone something: He apologizes for causing you any embarrassment.a. LEGAL used about someone who has done something wrong:He was arrested for causing a disturbance.b. used about something that makes an illness start:Indigestion is caused by excess acid in the stomach.The drug has been withdrawn, having been found to cause epileptic fits in laboratory mice.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.