<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a person or thing that acts, happens, or exists in such a way that some specific thing happens as a result; the producer of an effect</li><li>the reason or motive for some human action</li><li>good or sufficient reason</li><li>Law: a ground of legal action; the matter over which a person goes to law</li><li>a case for judicial decision</li><li>any subject of discussion or debate</li><li>a principle, ideal, goal, or movement to which a person or group is dedicated</li><li>the welfare of a person or group, seen as a subject of concern</li><li>Philosophy: the end or purpose for which a thing is done or produced</li><li>Aristotelianism: any of the four things necessary for the movement or the coming into being of a thing</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to be the cause of; bring about</li></ul>