Trump's decision caps a lengthy process that often played out in public and exposed rifts within his transition team.

参考译文：特朗普的决定结束了一个漫长的过程，这个漫长过程经常出现在公共场合而且也暴露出他过渡小组内部的严重不和。

请问：caps a lengthy process 怎么理解，什么意思？谢谢！

解答如下:

cap a lengthy process 意思“ 结束了一个漫长的过程”。

(1)cap vt.使具有…的结局;使…结束

The unrest capped a weekend of right-wing attacks on foreigners.  

周末右翼分子对外国人的攻击最终演变成了这场骚乱。

This speech caps a month of canvassing.

这场演讲结束了一个月来的游说。

(2)play out  逐渐发生; 展开; 结束; 使精疲力竭

Her union reforms were played out against a background of rising unemployment.

她对工会的改革是在失业率不断上升的背景下展开的。

The film has eerie parallels with the drama being played out in real life.  

这部电影和现实生活中发生的一系列戏剧性事件有着诡异的巧合之处。

(3)rift 严重不和，裂痕，争议

 The interview reflected a growing rift between the President and the government.  

这段采访反映了总统和政府之间的裂痕越来越大。

He has warned that the serious rifts within the country could lead to civil war.  

他已经发出了警告，国家内部严重的不和可能会引发内战。

(4)transition team 过渡小组

 He also served on President Obama's transition team.  

他同时也在奥巴马总统过渡小组任职。

There was no immediate reaction from the U.S. government or Mr. Obama's transition team. 

美国政府和奥巴马的过渡团队还没有立即作出回应。

(5) lengthy process 很长/漫长的过程

Love was a very lengthy process.  

爱的过程是很漫长的。

the lengthy process of obtaining a visa  

获得签证的漫长过程。

(6) in public 公开地，当众; 大庭广众; 桌面儿上

In many countries it is considered rude to spit in public.
在许多国家，当众吐痰属不雅行为。

It's rude to spit in public.
在公共场合随便吐痰是不礼貌的。

One of his less attractive traits is criticizing his wife in public.
他有个不大讨人喜欢的特点，就是爱当众责备妻子。

I don't like making speeches in public; it's so embarrassing.
我不喜欢在公开场合演说，太难为情了。

It's the bad manner to spit in public.
当众吐痰是不礼貌的行为。

We hope you can acknowledge your mistake in public.
希望你当众认错。

Not in public; secretly or confidentially.
秘密地非公开地; 秘密地或在私下地

I don't like reciting in public.
我不喜欢当众朗诵。

 Congress as an institution scores low in public opinion polls.  

作为一个公共机构，国会在公众民意调查中得分很低。

It would also train women union members in public speaking and decision-making.  

它还将培养工会的女性成员公开演讲和决策的能力。

By-laws are to make it illegal to smoke in public.  

地方法规将规定在公共场合抽烟为非法。

He snubbed her in public and made her feel an idiot.  

他当众冷落她，让她觉得自己像一个白痴似的。