Cause

(kaw.) [L. causa.]) (Philos.) Generally, that from which anything proceeds, or by virtue of which anything is done, in contradistinction to effect, or that which is produced. C. are distinguished by the schools into efficient, material, final, and formal. Efficient O. are the agents employed in the production of anything. Material C., the subjects on which the agents work, or the materials of which the thing is produced. Final C. are the motives inducing an agent to act, or the design and purpose for which the thing was done. Formal C. are those which must supervene matter, in order to give the thing its precise individual existence as that thing, and no other.-(Law.) Any legal proce which At ap arty institutes to obtain his demand, or by which he seeks his supposed right. Causeway, CAUSEY, (kau'ze.) [Fr. chau ée, a paved road.] A road or way raised above the natural level of the earth by stones, stakes, clay, or fascines; serving either as a road in wet, marshy places, or to prevent a river from overflowing the lower grounds. It is also very generally used for a raised pathway in any ordinary road. Caustic, (kauztik.) [From Gr. kaustikos, corrosive.] (Med.) Any substance that, being applied, corrodes and destroys the texture of the parts. C. differ from cauteries in that they are in their effects more slow, and of le force and pain. The most important C. are: lunar C., a preparation of nitrate of silver; C. potash (pota a fusa); nitric acid (aqua-fortis); and sulphate of copper (blue-stone). Caustic Curve. (Opt.) When rays of light are incident upon a curved, reflecting, or refracting surface, the reflected or refracted rays intersect, forming a curved line, called C. C., to which the rays are tangents. When formed by reflection, this curve is called catacaustic, and when formed by refraction, dia caustic. [s. 155]