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

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

• By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that.
       I hid myself because I was afraid.