because, adv. and conj.
(bɪˈkɔːz, -ˈkɒz)
Forms: 4–7 bi-, bycause, 4–6 by cause, (6 be cause), 4– because; dial. 'cause.
[f. by prep. + cause n. Orig. a phrase, consisting of prep. and subst.; after which the cause or purpose was expressed by a subst. governed by of, a dative infinitive, or a subord. clause introduced by that or why. See also cause why, s.v. cause. Such subord. clauses fell into two classes, one expressing cause or reason, the other purpose. In the former that was at length omitted, leaving because only. The same was often done from 15th to 17th c. with the latter class, but modern usage here drops because and uses that alone. There was an equivalent for cause (see cause n.); hence, perhaps the former use of for because, in nearly all the constructions.]
A. adv.
1. Followed by that or why: For the reason that. (Formerly for was sometimes prefixed.) arch. Also because why used interrogatively, = ‘why?’ (cf. cause why? s.v. cause n. 3 c); chiefly dial.
| c 1305 Deo Gratias 37 in E.E.P. (1862) 125 Þou hast herd al my deuyse, Bi cause whi, hit is clerkes wise. c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 233 By cause that he was hire Neighebour. c 1400 Mandeville xv. 162 For because that Saturne is of so late sterynge. c 1486 Bk. St. Albans D iij b, Theis be not enlured..by cause that thay be so ponderowse. 1541 Copland Galyen's Terap. 2 B iv b, For bycause that the sayde indication is nat taken of the same cause, it is euydent, etc. 1611 Bible John vii. 39 The Holy Ghost was not yet giuen; because that Iesus was not yet glorified. 1821 Byron Heav. & Earth iii. 442, I abhor death, because that thou must die. 1887 Parish & Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. 10 Because why, why? wherefore? A very common controversy amongst boys:—‘No it ain't’—‘Cos why?’—‘Cos it ain't.’ 1921 D. H. Lawrence Sea & Sardinia i. 12 The painters try to paint her [sc. Etna]..in vain. Because why? 1937 D. L. Sayers Busman's Honeymoon xiv. 253 It's a cur'ous thing you askin' about that there sun-dial, because why? The very man wot sold vicar the chimbley-pot, 'e wos found dead in his own 'ouse only yesterday. 1961 S. Chaplin Day of Sardine viii. 164, I know a lot of people that rant on about their religion and it doesn't do any good. Because why? Because they're trying to convince themselves, maybe? |
2. Followed by of and subst.: a. By reason of, on account of. (For formerly sometimes prefixed.)
| 1356 Wyclif Last Age Ch. (1840) 31 Þe synnes bi cause of whiche suche persecucioun schal be in Goddis Chirche. 1393 Gower Conf. II. 169 His wife, because of this, Goddesse of corn cleped is. a 1400 Cov. Myst. 31 My husbond is lost because of me. 1578 Timme Calvin on Gen. 173 Man ought to have excelled all other Creatures, for because of the mind wherewith he was indued. 1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Lett. xxxvi. I. 133 It is a particular art to load them [camels], because of the bunch on their backs. 1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. i. 331, I cling to thee with a more desperate love Because of thy ingratitude. |
† b. For the sake of, for the purpose of. Obs.
| 1480 Caxton Trevisa's Descr. Brit. 15 Elidurus was logged atte cite Alcluid by cause of solace and hunting. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxxv. 150 The kynge made none assaut, bycause of the sparynge of his people. |
† c. For the sake of not; for fear of.
| 1470–85 Malory Arthur (1817) II. 452 By cause of brekynge of myn avowe, I pray yow all lede me thyder. |
† 3. Followed by to with inf. = In order to. Obs.
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccxxxix. 346 Bycause to gyue ensample to his subgettes..he caused the..erle of Auser to be putte in prison. 1546 Langley Pol. Verg. De Invent. i. xv. 28 a, Arithmetike was imagyned by the Phenicians, because to vtter theyr Merchaundyse. |
B. conj. [from A 1.]
1. For the reason that; inasmuch as, since. (For formerly sometimes prefixed.)
| c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. Prol. 8 By cause I am a burel man..Haue me excused of my rude speche. 1477 Paston Lett. 794 III. 186 Putt hym away by cause he is daungerous. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. 147 For bicause I was in her presence, I toke acquaintaunce of her excellence. 1526 Tindale John xvi. 4 These thinges sayde I not..be cause [1534 because] I was present with you. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 10 Names..giuen to this plante, bycause it is very good. 1607 Topsell Serpents 789 They are much deceived..for because the Stellion hath a rustie colour. 1616 Sir R. Dudley in Fortesc. Papers 17 Nor am I so vaine..bycause I am not worth so much. 1771 Junius Lett. xlviii. 253 Their will must be obeyed; not because it is lawful and reasonable, but because it is their will. 1857 Buckle Civilis. I. x. 616 We wonder because we are ignorant and we fear because we are weak. |
† 2. With the purpose that, to the end that, in order that, so that, that. Obs. (Common dial.)
| 1485 Caxton Paris & V., Told to hys fader..by cause he shold..doo that which he wold requyre hym. 1526 Tindale Matt. xii. 10 They axed him..because [other versions ‘that’] they might acuse hym. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. iii. ii. iv. i. (1651) 525 Anointing the doors and hinges with oyl, because they should not creak. 1656 H. More Antid. Ath. ii. ix. (1712) 67 The reason why Birds are Oviparous is because there might be more plenty of them. |
¶ Used substantively.
| 1736 Bailey s.v., ‘Because’ is a Woman's Reason. 1875 A. Swinbourne Pict. Logic 162 Our ‘whys’ and our ‘becauses’ are obliged to stop. |
C. Used elliptically in answer to a question, implying that a fuller reply is being withheld for some reason.
| 1871 ‘L. Carroll’ Through Looking-Glass vi, in Wks. (1939) 200 The little fishes of the sea, They sent an answer back to me. The little fishes' answer was ‘We cannot do it, Sir, because—.’ 1924 ‘W. Fabian’ Sailors' Wives vi. 84 ‘Mustn't we? Why not?’ ‘Oh, Warren! Because.’ She might have been the fifteen-year-old child again. 1967 C. Fremlin Prisoner's Base vii. 48 ‘Why do you go out with him, Helen?’ ‘Because.’ Helen didn't mean to be cheeky. 1968 M. Carroll Dead Trouble x. 175 ‘Why didn't you leave the bottle?’ ‘Because!’ I said shortly. I wasn't going to explain my feelings on the matter. |