The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Because \Be*cause"\, conj. [OE. bycause; by + cause.]
   1. By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the
      reason that. --Milton.
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   2. In order that; that. [Obs.]
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            And the multitude rebuked them because they should
            hold their peace.                     --Matt. xx.
                                                  31.
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   Because of, by reason of, on account of. [Prep. phrase.]
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            Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon
            the children of disobedience.         --Eph. v. 6.
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   Syn: Because, For, Since, As, Inasmuch As.

   Usage: These particles are used, in certain connections, to
          assign the reason of a thing, or that "on account of"
          which it is or takes place. Because (by cause) is the
          strongest and most emphatic; as, I hid myself because
          I was afraid. For is not quite so strong; as, in
          Shakespeare, "I hate him, for he is a Christian."
          Since is less formal and more incidental than because;
          as, I will do it since you request me. It more
          commonly begins a sentence; as, Since your decision is
          made, I will say no more. As is still more incidental
          than since, and points to some existing fact by way of
          assigning a reason. Thus we say, as I knew him to be
          out of town, I did not call. Inasmuch as seems to
          carry with it a kind of qualification which does not
          belong to the rest. Thus, if we say, I am ready to
          accept your proposal, inasmuch as I believe it is the
          best you can offer, we mean, it is only with this
          understanding that we can accept it.
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