2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Sake  \Sake\  (s[=a]k),  n.  [OE.  sake  cause  also  lawsuit,  fault, 
  AS  sacu  strife,  a  cause  or  suit  at  law;  akin  to  D.  zaak 
  cause  thing  affair,  G.  sache  thing  cause  in  law,  OHG. 
  sahha  Icel.  s["o]k,  Sw  sak,  Dan.  sag,  Goth.  sakj[=o] 
  strife,  AS  sacan  to  contend,  strive,  Goth.  sakam,  Icel.  saka 
  to  contend,  strive,  blame,  OHG.  sahhan  MHG.  sachen,  to 
  contend,  strive,  defend  one's  right  accuse,  charge  in  a 
  lawsuit,  and  also  to  E.  seek.  Cf  {Seek}.] 
  Final  cause  end  purpose  of  obtaining;  cause  motive; 
  reason;  interest;  concern;  account;  regard  or  respect;  -- 
  used  chiefly  in  such  phrases  as  for  the  sake  of  for  his 
  sake,  for  man's  sake,  for  mercy's  sake,  and  the  like  as  to 
  commit  crime  for  the  sake  of  gain;  to  go  abroad  for  the  sake 
  of  one's  health. 
 
  Moved  with  wrath  and  shame  and  ladies'  sake.  --Spenser. 
 
  I  will  not  again  curse  the  ground  any  more  for  man's 
  sake.  --Gen.  viii. 
  21. 
 
  Will  he  draw  out  For  anger's  sake,  finite  to  infinite? 
  --Milton. 
 
  Knowledge  is  for  the  sake  of  man,  and  not  man  for  the 
  sake  of  knowledge.  --Sir  W. 
  Hamilton. 
 
  Note:  The  -s  of  the  possessive  case  preceding  sake  is 
  sometimes  omitted  for  euphony;  as  for  goodness  sake. 
  ``For  conscience  sake.''  --1  Cor.  x.  28.  The  plural 
  sakes  is  often  used  with  a  possessive  plural.  ``For 
  both  our  sakes.''  --Shak. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  sake 
  n  1:  a  reason  for  wanting  something  done  "for  your  sake";  "died 
  for  the  sake  of  his  country";  "in  the  interest  of 
  safety";  "in  the  common  interest"  [syn:  {interest}] 
  2:  Japanese  beverage  from  fermented  rice  usually  served  hot 
  [syn:  {saki}] 
  3:  the  purpose  of  achieving  or  obtaining;  "for  the  sake  of 
  argument" 

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