It refers to some variable whose distribution has got some mean and the measure of its spread is a standradr deviation of 17 cm. If the distribution is Normal (or approximately so), then the interval from the mean measure minus 17 cm to the mean plus 17 cm will contain approx 68% of the total number of observations.
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The standard deviation provides in indication of what proportion of the entire distribution of the sample falls within a certain distance from the mean or average for that sample. If your data falls on a normal (or bell shaped) distribution, a SD of 1 indicates that about 68% of your data points (scores or whatever else) fall within 1 point (plus or minus) of the average (mean) of the data, and 95% fall within 2 points.
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A plus + a plus is a plus.
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It is another way to say approximately. If you say, 345.5 is the sum, plus or minus, you mean that 345.5 is not the exact answer, but close enough for the situation.