❶ 原因，起因〔A spark from the wire was the cause of the fire．火灾的原因是来自电线的火花。
〕 ❷ 理由，原故〔John has given me no cause to admire him．约翰没有值得我赞美的地方。〕 ❸ 事业，奋斗的目标〔They have formed a group to work in the cause of peace．他们已组成小组为和平事业而奋斗。〕‖ v．引起，使产生，使发生〔The icy streets caused several accidents．多冰的街道引起多起事故。〕／causeless adj．