Etymology Map
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Cause

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a reason for something

Where does the word "cause" come from? It comes from Latin causa, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
causa
Latin · ancient
"reason, lawsuit"
the root of 'accuse' and 'excuse'
2
Stage 2 of 3
cause
Old French · medieval
"cause"
both a reason and a case at law
3
Stage 3 of 3
cause
English · 1200s
"reason; lawsuit"
'cause' as a movement people support dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Cause’s story begins in Latin: causa meant “reason, lawsuit.” The root of 'accuse' and 'excuse'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cause. Both a reason and a case at law. It reached English by 1200s as cause. 'cause' as a movement people support dates from the 1800s. Today, cause means a reason for something.