In rhetoric and literature, a cause or case that is the subject of discussion or argument; a theme or topic under debate.
Directly from Latin 'causus,' related to 'causa' (cause, case), used especially in Roman rhetorical training to describe the subject matter or theme of a speech or argument.
Roman orators used 'causus' as a technical term when preparing speeches—they'd identify their causus (the case or argument they'd defend) and then practice responding to counter-arguments, making this a word from ancient debate clubs.
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