Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - sake

~1 n 1 for the sake of in order to help, improve, or please someone or something  (He moved to the seaside for the sake of his health. | I only went for Kay's sake. | for sb's own sake (=because it will be good for them))  (I hope he's told her the truth for his own sake.) 2 for the sake of it if you do something for the sake of it, you do it because you want to and not for any particular reason  (I'm sure she agrees with you really - she just likes arguing for the sake of it.) 3 for the sake of argument spoken if you say something for the sake of argument, what you say may not be true but it will help you to have a discussion  (Let's say, just for the sake of argument, that you've got -200 to invest.) 4 for God's/Christ's/goodness'/Heaven's etc sake spoken a) used when you are telling someone how important it is to do something or not to do something  (For goodness sake, don't tell him that!) b) used to show that you are angry or annoyed  (What's the matter now, for God's sake?)  (- see God) ~2 n a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice, served in small cups, usually warm