13 results for: because

(Browse Nearby Entries)

bec.

BECA

Becalm

Becalmed

Becalming

becalms

Became

BECAMP

Becard

BECAT

Because

Because of

BECC

BECCA

Beccabunga

Beccafico

Beccaficos

BECCE

Becchi's test

BECCI

BECE

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

be·cause

Audio Help [bi-kawz, -koz, -kuhz] Pronunciation Key

–conjunction

1.	for the reason that; due to the fact that: The boy was absent because he was ill.

—Idiom

2.	because of, by reason of; due to: Schools were closed because of heavy snowfall.

[Origin: 1275–1325; ME bi cause by cause

]

—Synonyms 1. Because, as, since, for, inasmuch as agree in implying a reason for an occurrence or action. Because introduces a direct reason: I was sleeping because I was tired. As and since are so casual as to imply merely circumstances attendant on the main statement: As (or since) I was tired, I was sleeping. The reason, proof, or justification introduced by for is like an afterthought or a parenthetical statement: I was sleeping, for I was tired. Inasmuch as implies concession; the main statement is true in view of the circumstances introduced by this conjunction: Inasmuch as I was tired, it seemed best to sleep.

—Usage note 1. See reason.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
because

To learn more about because visit Britannica.com

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

be·cause Audio Help (bĭ-kôz', -kŭz') Pronunciation Key
conj. For the reason that; since.

[Middle English; see because of.]

Usage Note: A traditional rule holds that the construction the reason is because is redundant, and should be avoided in favor of the reason is that. The usage is well established, however, and can be justified by analogy to constructions such as His purpose in calling her was so that she would be forewarned of the change in schedule or The last time I saw her was when she was leaving for college. All three constructions are somewhat less than graceful, however. · A favorite rule of schoolteachers (but curiously absent from the tradition of usage commentary) is that a sentence must not begin with because. Sometimes, however, because is perfectly appropriate as the opening word of a sentence, as in the beginning of one of Emily Dickinson's best-known poems: "Because I could not stop for Death—/He kindly stopped for me." In fact, sentences beginning with because are quite common in written English. · Another rule states that one should not use a clause beginning with because as the subject of a sentence, as in Just because he thinks it a good idea doesn't mean it's a good idea. This construction is perfectly acceptable, but it carries a colloquial flavor and may best be reserved for informal situations. See Usage Note at as¹.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
because

c.1305, bi cause "by cause," modeled on Fr. par cause. Originally a phrase, often followed by a subordinate clause introduced by that or why.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version) - Cite This Source - Share This
because [biˈkoz] conjunction

for the reason that
Example: I can't go because I am ill.

Arabic:	بِسَبَب، لأِن
Chinese (Simplified):	因为
Chinese (Traditional):	因為
Czech:	protože
Danish:	fordi; idet, da
Dutch:	omdat
Estonian:	sellepärast et
Finnish:	koska
French:	parce que
German:	weil
Greek:	επειδή
Hungarian:	mert
Icelandic:	vegna þess að, sökum
Indonesian:	karena
Italian:	perché

Japanese:	なぜならば
Korean:	…이기 때문에
Latvian:	tāpēc ka; tā kā
Lithuanian:	kadangi
Norwegian:	fordi, ettersom
Polish:	ponieważ
Portuguese (Brazil):	porque
Portuguese (Portugal):	porque
Romanian:	pentru că
Russian:	потому что; так как
Slovak:	pretože
Slovenian:	ker
Spanish:	porque
Swedish:	emedan, därför att
Turkish:	çünkü, için

See also: because of

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Because

As\ ([a^]z), adv. & conj. [OE. as, als, alse, also, al swa, AS. eal sw[=a], lit. all so; hence, quite so, quite as: cf. G. als as, than, also so, then. See Also.]

1. Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden.

His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his soul, to emancipate his brethren. --Macaulay.

Note: As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or correlative words such, same, so, or as, in expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as you please, and so long as you please, or as long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as possible. "Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same colors as we do." --Lubbock. As, in a preceding part of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it; as with the people, so with the priest.

2. In the idea, character, or condition of, -- limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet.

The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man merely as a king. --Dewey.

3. While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke.

As I return I will fetch off these justices. --Shak.

4. Because; since; it being the case that.

As the population of Scotland had been generally trained to arms . . . they were not indifferently prepared. --Sir W. Scott. [See Synonym under Because.]

5. Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning).

We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited. --Macaulay.

6. That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such. [Obs.]

I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall never find thee. --Rowe.

So as, so that. [Obs.]

The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination. --Bacon.

7. As if; as though. [Obs. or Poetic]

He lies, as he his bliss did know. --Waller.

8. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.

9. Than. [Obs. & R.]

The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors. --Fuller.

10. Expressing a wish. [Obs.] "As have,"

Note: i. e., may he have. --Chaucer.

As . . as. See So . . as, under So.

As far as, to the extent or degree. "As far as can be ascertained." --Macaulay.

As far forth as, as far as. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

As for, or As to, in regard to; with respect to.

As good as, not less than; not falling short of.

As good as one's word, faithful to a promise.

As if, or As though, of the same kind, or in the same condition or manner, that it would be if.

As it were (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner.

As now, just now. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

As swythe, as quickly as possible. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

As well, also; too; besides. --Addison.

As well as, equally with, no less than. "I have understanding as well as you." --Job xii. 3.

As yet, until now; up to or at the present time; still; now.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Because

Be*cause"\, conj. [OE. bycause; by + cause.]

1. By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that. --Milton.

2. In order that; that. [Obs.]

And the multitude rebuked them because they should hold their peace. --Matt. xx. 31.

Because of, by reason of, on account of. [Prep. phrase.]

Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. --Eph. v. 6.

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Because

Be*cause"\, conj. [OE. bycause; by + cause.]

1. By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that. --Milton.

2. In order that; that. [Obs.]

And the multitude rebuked them because they should hold their peace. --Matt. xx. 31.

Because of, by reason of, on account of. [Prep. phrase.]

Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. --Eph. v. 6.

Syn: Because, For, Since, As, Inasmuch As.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Because

Cause\, conj. Abbreviation of Because. --B. Jonson.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Because

For\, conj. 1. Because; by reason that; for that; indicating, in Old English, the reason of anything.

And for of long that way had walk['e]d none, The vault was hid with plants and bushes hoar. --Fairfax.

And Heaven defend your good souls, that you think I will your serious and great business scant, For she with me. --Shak.

2. Since; because; introducing a reason of something before advanced, a cause, motive, explanation, justification, or the like, of an action related or a statement made. It is logically nearly equivalent to since, or because, but connects less closely, and is sometimes used as a very general introduction to something suggested by what has gone before.

Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. --Ps. cxxxvi. 1.

Heaven doth with us as we with torches do, Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues Did not go forth of us, 't were all alike As if we had them not. --Shak.

For because, because. [Obs.] "Nor for because they set less store by their own citizens." --Robynson (More's Utopia).

For why. (a) Why; for that reason; wherefore. [Obs.] (b) Because. [Obs.] See Forwhy.

Syn: See Because.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Because

In\, prep. [AS. in; akin to D. & G. in, Icel. [=i], Sw. & Dan. i, OIr. & L. in, Gr. 'en. [root]197. Cf. 1st In-, Inn.] The specific signification of in is situation or place with respect to surrounding, environment, encompassment, etc. It is used with verbs signifying being, resting, or moving within limits, or within circumstances or conditions of any kind conceived of as limiting, confining, or investing, either wholly or in part. In its different applications, it approaches some of the meanings of, and sometimes is interchangeable with, within, into, on, at, of, and among. It is used:

1. With reference to space or place; as, he lives in Boston; he traveled in Italy; castles in the air.

The babe lying in a manger. --Luke ii. 16.

Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west. --Shak.

Situated in the forty-first degree of latitude. --Gibbon.

Matter for censure in every page. --Macaulay.

2. With reference to circumstances or conditions; as, he is in difficulties; she stood in a blaze of light. "Fettered in amorous chains." --Shak.

Wrapt in sweet sounds, as in bright veils. --Shelley.

3. With reference to a whole which includes or comprises the part spoken of; as, the first in his family; the first regiment in the army.

Nine in ten of those who enter the ministry. --Swift.

4. With reference to physical surrounding, personal states, etc., abstractly denoted; as, I am in doubt; the room is in darkness; to live in fear.

When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain? --Shak.

5. With reference to character, reach, scope, or influence considered as establishing a limitation; as, to be in one's favor. "In sight of God's high throne." --Milton.

Sounds inharmonious in themselves, and harsh. --Cowper.

6. With reference to movement or tendency toward a certain limit or environment; -- sometimes equivalent to into; as, to put seed in the ground; to fall in love; to end in death; to put our trust in God.

He would not plunge his brother in despair. --Addison.

She had no jewels to deposit in their caskets. --Fielding.

7. With reference to a limit of time; as, in an hour; it happened in the last century; in all my life.

In as much as, or Inasmuch as, in the degree that; in like manner as; in consideration that; because that; since. See Synonym of Because, and cf. For as much as, under For, prep.

In that, because; for the reason that. "Some things they do in that they are men . . .; some things in that they are men misled and blinded with error." --Hooker.

In the name of, in behalf of; on the part of; by authority; as, it was done in the name of the people; -- often used in invocation, swearing, praying, and the like.

To be in for it. (a) To be in favor of a thing; to be committed to a course. (b) To be unable to escape from a danger, penalty, etc. [Colloq.]

To be (or keep) in with. (a) To be close or near; as, to keep a ship in with the land. (b) To be on terms of friendship, familiarity, or intimacy with; to secure and retain the favor of. [Colloq.]

Syn: Into; within; on; at. See At.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Because

In`as*much"\, adv. [In + as + much.] In like degree; in like manner; seeing that; considering that; since; -- followed by as. See In as much as, under In, prep.

Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. --Matt. xxv. 45.

Syn: Because; since; for; as. See Because.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Because

Since\, conj. Seeing that; because; considering; -- formerly followed by that.

Since that my penitence comes after all, Imploring pardon. --Shak.

Since truth and constancy are vain, Since neither love, nor sense of pain, Nor force of reason, can persuade, Then let example be obeyed. --Granville.

Syn: Because; for; as; inasmuch as; considering. See Because.

View results from: Dictionary | Thesaurus | Encyclopedia | All Reference | the Web