Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them.
Alfred North Whilehead
An Introduction Mathematics, 1911.
一. Civilization /sivilizeiʃən/ BRIT also civilisation 英国英语为 civilisation
1. N-Var 有变体名词 A civilization is a human society with its own social organization and culture. 文明社会。
The ancient civilizations of central and Latin American were founded upon corn.
中美洲和拉丁美洲的古代文明社会是建立在玉米之上的。
2. N-uncount 不可数名词 civilization is the state of having an advanced level of social organization and a comfortable way of life. 文明
... Our advanced state of civilization. ... 我们高度的文明形态。
二. extend /ikstənd/ extends, extending, extended
1. VI 不及物动词： If you say that something, usually something large, extends for a particular distance or extends from one place to another, you are indicating its size or position. 延伸；
The caves extend for some 12 miles. 这些洞穴延伸12英里。
The main stem will extend to around 12 ft, it left to develop naturally. 如果让其自然生长，主干会延伸12英尺左右。
2. VI 不及物动词 If an object extends from a surface or place, it sticks out from it.伸出，凸出；
A table extended from the front of her desk to create a T-shaped seatting arrangment.
一张桌子从她的办公桌前端伸出，形成T型的座位的排列。
3. VI不及物动词： If an event or activity extends over a period of time, it continues for that time. 持续；
The normal cyclone season extends from December to Apirl.正常的飓风季节从12月到4月。
4. VI不及物动词： If something extends to a group of people, things, or activities, it includes or affects them. 包括；涉及：
The service also extends to wrapping and delivering gifts.这项服务还包括包装扩递送礼物。
The talks will extend to the church, human rights groups, and other social organizations. 这些会谈将涉及教会、人权组织和其它社会组织。
5. VI 不及物动词： If you extend something, you make it longer or bigger. 延长，扩大；
This year they have introduced three new products to extend their range.
今年，他们已引入了3种新产品扩大他们的范围。
The building was extended in 1500. 该建筑于1500年扩建。
6. VI 不及物动词： If a piece of equipment or furniture extends, its length can be increased. 能伸展：
... a table that extends to accommodate extra guests. 一张能伸展以容纳更多客人的桌子。
7. VT 及物动词 If you extend something, you make it last longer than before or end at a later date. 延长期限。
They have extended deadline by twenty-four hours. 他们已经将最后期限延长24小时。
8. VT及物动词： If you extend something to other people or things, you make it include or affect more people or things. 扩延；到其他人或物。
It might be possible to extend the technique to other crop plants.
把该技术扩延到其它农作物上也许是可能的。
9. VT 及物动词 If someone extends their hand, they stretch out their arm and hand to shake hands with someone. 伸出：
The man extended his hand :"I am Chuck."
这位男士伸出了他的手：“我是查克！”