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?