cause-effect
UK[ˈkɔːz ɪˌfekt]US[ˈkɑːz əˌfekt]
n
The relationship between an action or event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the first event is understood to be responsible for the second.
n
A principle or method of reasoning that identifies causal connections.
Morpheme Breakdown
cause
effect
cause
origin, source
effect
result, outcome
Etymology
The compound "cause-effect" is a modern analytical term constructed from two foundational Latin-derived nouns, 'cause' and 'effect', to explicitly name a conceptual relationship. 'Cause' originates from Latin causa, meaning a reason or legal case, which itself may derive from an unknown root. 'Effect' comes from Latin effectus, the past participle of efficere ('to work out, accomplish'), from ex- ('out') and facere ('to make, do'). The term's logic is transparently literal: it juxtaposes the source ('cause') with its consequent product ('effect') to form a single unit describing the fundamental link between action and result, central to scientific and philosophical reasoning.
Analysis
Structure: cause (origin, source) + effect (result, outcome)
- cause: From Latin causa (reason, motive, case). In this compound, it functions as the first element denoting the initiating factor.
- effect: From Latin effectus (accomplishment, performance), from efficere (to accomplish). In this compound, it functions as the second element denoting the resulting event.
Examples
The chapter explains the basic cause-effect relationships in economics.
It is difficult to establish a clear cause-effect in complex social systems.
The diagram uses arrows to illustrate the cause-effect chain within the process.