final cause

final cause
    n 1: (philosophy) the end or purpose of a thing or process
    

Cause \Cause\ (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.
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            Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to
            make one thing begin to be.           --Locke.
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   2. That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground;
      reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
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   3. Sake; interest; advantage. [Obs.]
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            I did it not for his cause.           --2 Cor. vii.
                                                  12.
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   4. (Law) A suit or action in court; any legal process by
      which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he
      regards as his right; case; ground of action.
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   5. Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question;
      affair in general.
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            What counsel give you in this weighty cause! --Shak.
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   6. The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and
      upheld by a person or party; a principle which is
      advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain.
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            God befriend us, as our cause is just. --Shak.
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            The part they take against me is from zeal to the
            cause.                                --Burke.
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   {Efficient cause}, the agent or force that produces a change
      or result.

   {Final cause}, the end, design, or object, for which anything
      is done.

   {Formal cause}, the elements of a conception which make the
      conception or the thing conceived to be what it is; or the
      idea viewed as a formative principle and cooperating with
      the matter.

   {Material cause}, that of which anything is made.

   {Proximate cause}. See under {Proximate}.

   {To make common cause with}, to join with in purposes and
      aims. --Macaulay.

   Syn: Origin; source; mainspring; motive; reason; incitement;
        inducement; purpose; object; suit; action.
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Final \Fi"nal\ (f[imac]"nal), a. [F., fr. L. finalis, fr. finis
   boundary, limit, end. See {Finish}.]
   1. Pertaining to the end or conclusion; last; terminating;
      ultimate; as, the final day of a school term.
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            Yet despair not of his final pardon.  --Milton.
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   2. Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of
      Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue.
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   3. Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the
      purpose or ultimate end in view.
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   {Final cause}. See under {Cause}.

   Syn: {Final}, {Conclusive}, {Ultimate}.

   Usage: Final is now appropriated to that which brings with it
          an end; as, a final adjustment; the final judgment,
          etc. Conclusive implies the closing of all discussion,
          negotiation, etc.; as, a conclusive argument or fact;
          a conclusive arrangement. In using ultimate, we have
          always reference to something earlier or proceeding;
          as when we say, a temporary reverse may lead to an
          ultimate triumph. The statements which a man finally
          makes at the close of a negotiation are usually
          conclusive as to his ultimate intentions and designs.
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