spectre
鬼;幽靈
Was he a spectre returning to haunt her?
是不是他的幽靈回來找她了?
message from sb to sb
(書面或口頭的)信息,消息,音信
There were no messages for me at the hotel.
旅館里沒有給我的留言。
I left a message on your answering machine.
我在你的電話應答機上留言了。
Jenny's not here at the moment. Can I take a message?
珍妮這會兒不在。要我給你傳個話嗎?
prior
先前的;較早的;在前的
Although not essential, some prior knowledge of statistics is desirable.
統(tǒng)計學的知識雖非必要,但最好是學過一點。
This information must not be disclosed without prior written consent.
未事先征得書面許可,此消息不得泄露。
Visits are by prior arrangement.
參觀需要事先安排。
motive for sth
動機;原因;目的
There seemed to be no motive for the murder.
這起謀殺案看不出有什么動機。
I'm suspicious of his motives.
我懷疑他的動機。
the profit motive (= the desire to make a profit)
謀利的動機
I have an ulterior motive in offering to help you.
我主動提出要幫助你是有私心的