efficient+cause

  • 11cause — 1 n 1: something that brings about an effect or result the negligent act which was the cause of the plaintiff s injury ◇ The cause of an injury must be proven in both tort and criminal cases. actual cause: cause in fact in this entry but–for… …

    Law dictionary

  • 12cause — cause, causal explanation In non specialist contexts, to ask for the cause of some particular happening is to ask what made it happen, or brought it about. To give a causal explanation is to answer such questions, usually by specifying some prior …

    Dictionary of sociology

  • 13efficient — ef*fi cient ([e^]f*f[i^]sh ent), a. [L. efficiens, entis, p. pr. of efficere to effect: cf. F. efficient. See {Effect}, n.] Causing effects; producing results; that makes the effect to be what it is; actively operative; not inactive, slack, or… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 14efficient — I adjective able, adroit, capable, competent, deft, dexterous, effective, effectual, expedient, expeditious, expert, functional, habilis, mighty, potent, powerful, practical, productive, proficient, puissant, skilled, skillful associated concepts …

    Law dictionary

  • 15Cause — (k[add]z), n. [F. cause, fr. L. causa. Cf. {Cause}, v., {Kickshaw}.] 1. That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist. [1913 Webster] Cause is substance exerting its power into… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 16Efficient — Ef*fi cient, n. An efficient cause; a prime mover. [1913 Webster] God . . . moveth mere natural agents as an efficient only. Hooker. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 17intervening efficient cause — See efficient intervening cause …

    Ballentine's law dictionary

  • 18efficient — [e fish′ənt, ifish′ənt] adj. [ME & OFr < L efficiens, prp. of efficere: see EFFECT] 1. directly producing an effect or result; causative; effective [the efficient cause] 2. producing a desired effect, product, etc. with a minimum of effort,… …

    English World dictionary

  • 19sole efficient cause — The proximate cause of an accident. 7 Am J2d Auto § 376 …

    Ballentine's law dictionary

  • 20cause — noun (Lat. causa.) Each separate antecedent of an event. Something that precedes and brings about an effect or a result. A reason for an action or condition. A ground of a legal action. An agent that brings something about. That which in some… …

    Black's law dictionary