In Pleading

Reason; motive. In a replication de injuria, for example, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant of his own wrong and without the cause by him, etc., where the word "cause" comprehends all the facts alleged as an excuse or reason for doing the act.

1 Chit. PI. B85.

In Practice. A suit or action; any question, civil or criminal, contested before a court of justice.

Wood, Civ. Law, 301.

It does not include a quo warranto proceeding (5 El. & Bl.), but includes a criminal prosecution (3 Q. B. 901).