\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.