Smile is the multiple significance of language.
微笑乃是具有多重意义的语言。
——卡尔·施皮特勒（Carl Spitteler）
【相关单词短语讲解】
【1】multiple 英 [mltpl] 美 [mltpl]
adj. 形容词
[only before noun] 数量多的；多种多样的：many in number; involving many different people or things
multiple copies of documents 各种文件的大量的副本
a multiple entry visa 多次入境签证
to suffer multiple injuries (= in many different places in the body)
多处受伤
a multiple birth (= several babies born to a mother at one time)
多胎产
a multiple pile-up (= a crash involving many vehicles)
连环车祸
a house in multiple ownership/occupancy (= owned/occupied by several different people or families)
多户所有 / 使用的房屋
noun 名词
（1）(mathematics 数) 倍数：a quantity that contains another quantity an exact number of times
14, 21 and 28 are all multiples of 7.
14、21和28都是7的倍数。——《牛津词典》
8 is the lowest common multiple of 8 and 4.
8是8和4的最小公倍数。——《牛津词典》
also multiple store 〈英〉联号商店
= chain store 连锁商店
【2】significance 英 [sɡnfkns] 美 [sɡnfkns]
noun 名词[U, C]
（1）（尤指对将来有影响的）重要性，意义：the importance of sth, especially when this has an effect on what happens in the future
a decision of major political significance 具有重大政治意义的决定
The new drug has great significance for the treatment of the disease.
这种新药对于这种病的治疗有重大的意义。——《牛津词典》
They discussed the statistical significance of the results.
他们讨论了这些结果在统计学上的意义。——《牛津词典》
（2）意思；含义：the meaning of sth
She couldn"t grasp the full significance of what he had said.
她未能充分领会他那番话的意思。——《牛津词典》
Do these symbols have any particular significance?
这些符号有什么特别的含义吗？——《牛津词典》
【拓展1】词语搭配（significance与以下词性连用）
adj.
cultural significance 文化意义
great significance 重大意义
historic/historical significance 历史意义
political significance 政治意义
religious significance 宗教意义
v. downplay the significance of something 贬低…的重要性
explain the significance of something 解释…的重要意义
understand the significance of something 认识到…的重要性
【拓展2】of great importance/significance
意思相当于"important" "significant"，但"of+名词"的表达更高级……
We should bear in mind that teamwork is of great significance to both our society and ourselves.
我们应该牢记合作对社会和我们自己都非常重要。
（写有关"合作"的作文时可以用上这句）
Therefore, the learning and mastery of foreign languages, especially English, is of great significance.
因此，学习和掌握外语，特别是英语，具有重要意义。
