What is the origin of the idiom "for want of something" and when to use it?

The idiom "for want of something" has its origins in the English language, and it has been used in literature and storytelling for centuries. It is often found in moral tales and fables. The phrase is used to describe a chain of events or consequences that result from the absence or lack of a specific thing or action. It emphasizes that a series of negative outcomes occurred because something necessary was missing.