causal agent
1
7.0
- noun
- /ˈkɔːzəl ˈeɪdʒənt/
- Specialized
:
agente causal
- Yet despite the identification of the causal agent, the best method for combating the global threat of AIDS remains a topic of debate and a source of confusion.
- possible causal agents
I think it tells us so much about the role of sleep as a potential causal agent in psychiatric conditions.
- I think it tells us so much about the role of sleep as a potential causal agent in psychiatric conditions.
Examples
-
The scientists identified a new causal agent responsible for the unusual symptoms in patients.
-
Human babesiosis is an increasing health concern in the northeastern United States, where the causal agent, Babesia microti, is spread through the bite of infected Ixodes scapularis ticks.
Academic text (2012) -
I think it tells us so much about the role of sleep as a potential causal agent in psychiatric conditions.
-
Why do you identify the causal agent in "Islamic" countries as Islam, but in Christian countries as poor leaders?
Blog text (27) -
The causal agent was identified by laboratory confirmation from cases in all but two outbreaks.
Academic text (2008) -
The infants infer that a "causal agent" must be involved in the motion of the flying beanbag.
Blog text (15) -
However, NSAIDs need to be considered as possible causal agents in the evaluation of meningitis with otologic symptoms.
Academic text (1998) -
Shortly afterward, HBV was recognized as the causal agent in infectious hepatitis and was distinguished from hepatitis A virus (Havens 1948).
Academic text (2012) -
Researchers discovered that the causal agent behind the disease was a previously unknown virus.
-
In the experiment, the team tested several substances to determine which one acted as a causal agent for the observed reaction.
Synonyms
∞
1.8
A thing or person that makes something happen
173
4.5
A thing or substance that causes a specific effect, often in medicine
101
4.6
Something, often a person, that causes a crime, mistake or problem
15
4.2
A person or thing that causes change, gives news and delivers goods
4
3.9
A person who starts an idea, project, or change
1
4.5
A thing or condition that directly makes something happen
1
6.9
A person or thing that makes something happen
1
8.5
A person or thing that makes something happen
A thing or person that makes something happen
A person or thing that makes something happen
How Causal
- Specialized
35
3.6
- Specialized
1
7.0
- Specialized
1
4.5
- Specialized
2
8.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'causal' (acting as a cause) with 'agent' (an entity responsible for an effect), so the overall sense 'an entity that produces an effect' follows straightforwardly from the parts. This adjective+noun composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern (e.g. Spanish 'agente causal'), making it immediately comprehensible to learners who know both constituents.
Etymology
Causal agent combines causal (about a cause) and agent (a doer). Imagine a detective pointing at the person or thing that made something happen; that picture helps: a causal agent is the person or thing 'responsible for' an effect.