cause of action
1 : the grounds (as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit [an amended pleading reiterating a
cause of action for lost profits "J. H. Friedenthal
et al."]
;also : the part of a suit brought on those grounds [removed the
cause of action to the district court]
2 : right of action [the court, led by Justice Brennan, said Congress intended to provide a private
cause of action "
National Law Journal"]