Show cause
Defined in 2 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910)
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
To comply with a rule to show cause by offering law and facts to influence the court in its decision of the point before it.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
To show cause against a rule nisi, an order, decree, execution, etc., is to appear ad directed, and present to the court such reasons and considerations as one has to offer why it should not be confirmed, take effect, be executed or as the case may be.