v.引起；使发生（动词cause的过去式与过去分词形式）

Weak foundations caused the house to subside. 由于地基不牢，这所房子已下陷。

The news of the radiation leak caused widespread public alarm. 辐射泄露的消息引起了公众的普遍恐慌。

Many diseases are caused by bacteria. 许多疾病是由细菌引起的。

The two brothers fell in love with the same girl, which caused bad blood between them. 兄弟俩都爱上了同一位姑娘，这使得两人互相仇恨。

A volcanic island of Indonesia between Sumatra and Java. A violent explosion in August 1883 blew the island apart and caused a tidal wave that killed more than 36,000 people. 喀拉喀托火山位于苏门答腊和爪哇之间的一个火山岛。1883年8月，该岛火山的一次猛烈的喷发使该岛裂开，并引发了一场使36,000多人丧生的海啸。

Embarrassment caused me to hesitate. 窘迫使得我(讲话)吞吞吐吐。

Friction against the rock, combined with the weight of the climber, caused his rope to break. 与岩石之间的摩擦加上攀登者的重量，使得绳子断了。