James: at least

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Marius Hancu - 30 Nov 2009 10:33 GMT

Hello:

Does "at least" mean "in the least?"

-----
[Miss Gostrey talks to Strether about meeting, years ago, Mme Vionnet,
her former school-mate]

She went on at all events to the mention of her having met the young
thing—again by some Swiss lake—in her first married state, which had
appeared for the few intermediate years not at least violently
disturbed.

Henry James, The Ambassadors, p. 144
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/432/432-h/432-h.htm
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It doesn't show to be so in my dictionary:
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- at least or at the least adverb 1 : at the lowest estimate : as the
minimum <at least once a year ... my wife and I drive up into New
England -- Budd Schulberg> 2 : in any case : at any rate <unknown to
the outside world, at least until recently -- N.D.Palmer & South
CarolinaLeng>

- in the least adverb : in the least degree or manner <not in the
least unfriendly>

M-W U
---
but perhaps things have changed in time.

--
Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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the Omrud - 30 Nov 2009 10:40 GMT

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> appeared for the few intermediate years not at least violently
> disturbed.

It means that this is one of the better things which can be said about
it. The placement is strange; where it is, I would have separated it
out with commas. Myself, I would put it before "not".

For example:

- I have to stay away from home, but at least I'll be in a decent hotel.
- My cat was run over which was at least a quick way to go.

Signature

David

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Marius Hancu - 30 Nov 2009 12:25 GMT

> > Does "at least" mean "in the least?"
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> It means that this is one of the better things which can be said about
> it.

I like this description.

> The placement is strange; where it is, I would have separated it
> out with commas. Myself, I would put it before "not".
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> - I have to stay away from home, but at least I'll be in a decent hotel.
> - My cat was run over which was at least a quick way to go.

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2009

James: at least