The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

            Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to
            make one thing begin to be.           --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground;
      reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Sake; interest; advantage. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            I did it not for his cause.           --2 Cor. vii.
                                                  12.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question;
      affair in general.
      [1913 Webster]

            What counsel give you in this weighty cause! --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            God befriend us, as our cause is just. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            The part they take against me is from zeal to the
            cause.                                --Burke.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

            Yet despair not of his final pardon.  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of
      Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the
      purpose or ultimate end in view.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
          [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

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