From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Because \Be*cause"\, conj. [OE. bycause; by + cause.]
1. By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the
reason that. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. In order that; that. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
And the multitude rebuked them because they should
hold their peace. --Matt. xx.
31.
[1913 Webster]
{Because of}, by reason of, on account of. [Prep. phrase.]
[1913 Webster]
Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon
the children of disobedience. --Eph. v. 6.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: {Because}, {For}, {Since}, {As}, {Inasmuch As}.
Usage: These particles are used, in certain connections, to
assign the reason of a thing, or that "on account of"
which it is or takes place. Because (by cause) is the
strongest and most emphatic; as, I hid myself because
I was afraid. For is not quite so strong; as, in
Shakespeare, "I hate him, for he is a Christian."
Since is less formal and more incidental than because;
as, I will do it since you request me. It more
commonly begins a sentence; as, Since your decision is
made, I will say no more. As is still more incidental
than since, and points to some existing fact by way of
assigning a reason. Thus we say, as I knew him to be
out of town, I did not call. Inasmuch as seems to
carry with it a kind of qualification which does not
belong to the rest. Thus, if we say, I am ready to
accept your proposal, inasmuch as I believe it is the
best you can offer, we mean, it is only with this
understanding that we can accept it.
[1913 Webster]
|
