The L. word for CAUSE, occas. used in Eng., esp. in the phrases causa causans a causing cause, i.e., a primary or original cause; causa causata a caused cause, a secondary or intermediate cause; vera causa a true or real cause.
c. 1420. Chron. Vilod., 428. For he was causa of his brotheris deythe.
1659. Rushw., Hist. Coll., I. 461. Among the Logicians there are two causes; there is Causa causans, and Causa Causata. The Causa causans … is not the Warrant from the Lords of the Council, for that is Causa causata.
