reason

The reason this tree fell is that it had rotted.

The reason I robbed the bank was that I needed the money.

I have forgotten the reason he gave for not travelling by air. I felt sure that it was not the correct reason, and that he suffered from a heart trouble which he kept to himself.

Mankind should develop reason above all other virtues.

I was promised, on a time, To have reason for my rhyme.

{{RQ:Barrow Mathematical Learning|chapter=Lecture XVII. Of the Names and Diversities of the Twofold Kind of Reason or Proportion, viz. Arithmetical and Geometrical|pages=323–324|pageref=324|passage=[I]f two Quantities repreſented by the Numbers 20 and 4 be compared, by dividing the Antecedent 20 by the Conſequent 4, the Quotient is 5; but inverting the Terms, by dividing 4 by 20 the Quotient is tfrac 4 20= tfrac 1 5. By which Quotients are declared the Geometrical Reaſons of the propoſed Quantities, becauſe if the Quotient found be multiplied by the Conſequent, the Product is equal to the Antecedent; for in the former Compariſon 5⨯4=20, in the latter tfrac 1 5⨯20=4; as Things again are referred to Equality.}}