adv. and conj. Forms: 4–7 bi-, bycause, 4–6 by cause, (6 be cause), 4– because; dial. ’cause. [f. BY prep. + CAUSE sb. 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 sb.); 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.
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. Maundev., 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.
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 rustic 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, Civiliz., 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.
