causation
/kɔːˈzeɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
causatio — a causing, a reason
Overview
Meaning Now
- The action of causing or producing an effect.
- The principle of cause and effect; the relationship between a cause and its effect.
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
causacion
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word entered English during the Middle English period, reflecting the influence of scholastic philosophy where the Latin term 'causatio' was used to describe the metaphysical link between an agent and its resulting action.
Evolution
- 1st century BCE (Latin)
causa
“reason, cause”
- Classical Latin
causatio
“the act of causing”
- 14th century (Middle English)
causacion
“production of an effect”
Borrowed from Old French
Connections
Word parts
caus-
root
cause
-ation
suffix
process or result
Related across languages
French
causation
Spanish
causación
causation
Related words
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Related to causation
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.