1 [C] a thing or person that makes sth happen 因由;原因:
The police do not know the cause of the accident.警方仍未查明事故的起因。Smoking is one of the causes of heart disease.吸烟是心脏病的病因之一。
2 [U] cause (for sth) reason for feeling sth or behaving in a particular way 理由;依据:
The doctor assured us that there was no cause for concern.医生向我们保证没什么好担心的。I don't think you have any real cause for complaint.我看不出你真有什么可以抱怨的。
3 [C] an idea or organization that a group of people believe in and support 目标;事业:
We are all committed to the cause of racial equality.我们大家都以种族平等为奋斗目标。
a lost cause→LOST²
be for/in a good cause to be worth doing because it will help other people 值得做(因为对别人有好处)
*cause²
/kɔ:z ||; kɔz/verb
[T] to make sth happen 引起;导致:
The fire was caused by an electrical fault.这场火灾由电路故障引起。High winds caused many trees to fall during the night.昨晚很多树都给强风吹倒。Is your leg causing you any pain?你的腿疼不疼?
cause1/kɔz; kɔːz/n 1 [C] a person, event, or thing that makes something happen [→ effect] 原因﹐起因: +of Heart disease is a common cause of death . 心脏病是一种常见死因。main/major cause Sewage is a major cause of water pollution. 污水是造成水污染的主要原因。researchers investigating the causes of depression 在研究抑郁症病因的研究人员2 [C,U] a reason for doing something or having a particular feeling 理由﹐缘故: +for The birth of a baby is a cause for celebration. 婴儿出生值得庆贺。cause for concern/alarm There is no cause for alarm. 不必惊慌。have (good) cause to do sth I think you’ve good cause to complain. 我认为你有充分的理由投诉。3 [C] an organization or aim that a group of people support or fight for 事业﹔目标: +of the cause of freedom 争取自由的事业good/worthy cause (=an organization that helps people who need it) 公益事业 I don’t mind giving money if it's for a good cause. 如果是为慈善的话﹐我不介意出钱。
cause2v [T] to make something happen, especially something bad 引起﹐导致: Heavy traffic is causing long delays. 拥挤的交通造成长时间延误。cause sb sth The injury was causing him a lot of pain. 这伤给他带来很多痛苦。cause sb/sth to do sth Their divorce had caused her to feel very bitter. 他们的离婚让她感到非常痛苦。cause problems/trouble/damage etc 造成问题/麻烦/损害等
causecausecausescausedcausing2verb (causes, causing, caused)to be the reason why something happens: What caused the accident? The fire was caused by a cigarette.causecausecauses1nounpronunciationThe word cause sounds like doors.1a thing or person that makes something happen: Bad driving is the cause of most road accidents.2something that people care about and want to help: They gave the money to a good cause – it was used to build a new hospital.