/stretʃ; strɛtʃ/
v
1 [Tn, Tn.pr, Tn.p, Cn.a] make (sth) longer, wider or tighter by pulling 拉长, 撑大, 拽紧（某物）
*stretch a rope across a path 把绳索拉到道路对面
* stretch a pair of gloves/shoes, eg to make them fit better 把手套[鞋]撑大（如使之更合适）
* stretch a hat to fit one's head 把帽子撑一撑以便戴着合适
* stretch a rope tight 把绳索拉紧.
2 [I] be able to become longer, wider, etc without breaking; be elastic; (be liable to) extend beyond the proper limit 能伸展; 能延伸; 有弹性; （可能）超过限度
*These socks stretch. 这双短袜有弹性.
* The pullover stretched (ie out of shape) after I had worn it a few times. 这件套头毛衣我穿了几次之後就撑大了（变形了）.
* (fig 比喻) I'd love a holiday if our money will stretch that far. 我们的钱省着花要是能富余出来, 我倒是很想去度假.
3 [I, Ipr, Ip, Tn, Tn.pr, Tn.p] extend or thrust out (a limb or part of the body) and tighten the muscles, esp after being relaxed or in order to reach sth 伸长或伸出（一肢或身体某部）并　紧肌肉（尤指在放松後或为够着某物）
*He woke up, yawned and stretched. 他一觉醒来, 边打呵欠边伸懒腰.
* She stretched across the table for the butter. 她探身去取放在餐桌对面的黄油.
* stretch one's arms, legs 伸展双臂、双腿
* He stretched out his arm to take the book. 他伸出手臂去拿书.
* She stretched her neck up, eg to see over the heads of people in a crowd. 她伸着脖子（如从人群头顶上看）.
4 [I, Ipr, Ip] spread out over an area or a period of time; extend 绵延; 延续; 伸展
*forests stretching for hundreds of miles 绵延数百英里的森林
* The road stretched (out) across the desert into the distance. 这条道路穿过沙漠伸向远方.
* The ocean stretched as far as they could see on all sides. 海洋十分辽阔, 他们极目远眺无边无涯.
* The long summer holiday stretched ahead (of them). 漫长的暑假就在（他们的）眼前.
5 [Tn] make great demands on (sb or sb's ability, strength, etc) 对（某人或某人的能力、体力等）提出高的要求
*The race really stretched him/his skill as a runner. 这次赛跑对他这个参赛者[他的水平]来说, 确是勉为其难.
* She has not been sufficiently stretched at school this term. 她本学期功课不太紧张.
* We can't take on any more work we're fully stretched (ie working to the utmost of our powers) at the moment. 我们不能再接受更多的工作了--目前已经全力以赴了.
6 [Tn] strain or exert (sth) as far as possible or beyond a reasonable or an acceptable limit 尽力或过度使用（某事物）
*stretch the truth, ie exaggerate or lie 言过其实
* stretch the meaning of a word 过分引伸某词义
* You can't stretch the rules to suit yourself. 你不能为你自己而牵强附会解释这些规章.
7 (idm 习语) stretch one's legs go for a walk as exercise 去散步
*She went out to stretch her legs after lunch. 她午饭後出去散步了. stretch a point go beyond what is usually allowed; make a concession 超出一般所允许的范围; 做出让步
*She doesn't have all the qualifications but I think we should stretch a point in her favour. 她并非全部合格, 但我认为我们可以为她放开一些限制.
8 (phr v) stretch (sth) out (make sth) last or be enough to cover one's needs （使某事物）延续或足够所需
*He couldn't stretch out his money to the end of the month. 他的钱花不到月底. stretch (oneself) out relax by lying at full length 躺着舒展身体
*He stretched (himself) out in front of the fire and fell asleep. 他舒展开身体躺在炉火旁边睡着了.

n
1 [C usu sing 通常作单数] act of stretching or state of being stretched 拉长; 撑大; 拽紧; 伸展; 延伸; 高要求; 过度使用
*With a stretch of his arm, he reached the shelf. 他伸出手臂, 够着了那个架子.
* The dog woke up, had a good stretch and wandered off. 那条狗醒过来, 舒舒服服地伸展了一下身子便走开了.
2 [U] ability to be stretched; elasticity 伸展的能力; 弹性; 伸缩性
*This material has a lot of stretch in it. 这种材料很有弹性.
* [attrib 作定语] stretch jeans, seat-covers, underwear 弹力牛仔裤、椅套、内衣.
3 [C]
(a) ~ (of sth) continuous expanse or extent (of sth) 扩展; 延伸; 连绵
*a beautiful stretch of countryside 一片郊外美景
* along stretch of open road 长长的郊野公路.
(b) continuousor unbroken period of time 连续的一段时间
*a four-hour stretch 连续四小时.
4 [C usu sing 通常作单数] (sl 俚) period of service or imprisonment 服役期间; 服刑期间
*do a stretch in the army 在军队里服役
* He did a long stretch for attempted murder. 他因谋杀未遂罪坐了很长时间的牢.
5 [C usu sing 通常作单数] straight part of a track or racecourse 直线跑道
*the final/finishing/home stretch, ie the last part of the course 临近终点的直线跑道.
6 (idm 习语) at full stretch => full. at a stretch without stopping; continuously 不停地; 连续地
*She worked for six hours at a stretch. 她连续工作了六个小时. not by any/by no stretch of the imagination however hard one may try to believe or imagine sth 无论怎样想像
*By no stretch of the imagination could you call him ambitious. 不管你怎么想, 也不能说他存有野心.