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: 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}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0