cause-and-effect
UK[ˌkɔːz ən(d) ɪˈfekt]US[ˌkɔːz ən(d) ɪˈfekt]
adj
Denoting or relating to a relationship between events or actions where one is the direct result of the other.
n
The principle of causality.
Morpheme Breakdown
cause
and
effect
cause
and
effect
Etymology
The phrase "cause and effect" is a modern English compound formed by joining three independent lexical units. "Cause" originates from Latin causa, which carried meanings of reason, motive, and legal case, implying an agent that brings something about. "Effect" stems from the Latin past participle effectus, meaning something that has been accomplished or brought into being. The conjunction "and" simply links these two fundamental concepts. The compound crystallizes the philosophical principle of causality, directly naming the two essential components—the initiating force and its subsequent outcome—to describe their inseparable relationship, a cornerstone of scientific and logical reasoning.
Analysis
Structure: cause + and + effect
cause: From Latin 'causa' (reason, cause, lawsuit). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning the initiating event.
and: From Old English 'and', a conjunction used to link words or concepts. Here it functions as a linking element.
effect: From Latin 'effectus' (accomplishment, performance), from 'efficere' (to accomplish). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning the resulting event.
Examples
The chapter explains the cause-and-effect relationship between pollution and climate change.
Young children are learning to understand simple cause-and-effect in their daily activities.
The essay lacked a clear cause-and-effect analysis, making the argument weak.