Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

Source : WordNet®

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 alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice;
        usually served hot [syn: {saki}, {rice beer}]
     3: the purpose of achieving or obtaining; "for the sake of
        argument"