at largeとは

意味・読み方・使い方

語源

From Middle English at large (“at liberty または freedom”) (compare Middle English ben at large (“to be at one's liberty, be free”)). Compare Old French au large (“at liberty” かつ other senses).

発音

前置詞句

at large

1. (idiomatic) On the loose; roaming freely; not confined.

   For a nervous twenty-four hours, three wanted criminals were at large in the city.

   The ambassador-at-large was designated to the Middle East as a region, rather than to a specific country.

2. (obsolete) In full, fully.
   • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 54573970:

     , vol.I, New York 2001, p.236:

     The like example I find in Lælius à Fonte Eugubinus, consult. 129 […]. Read in him the story at large.

3. In general; as a whole.

   Some people support the measure, but the community at large will probably be against it.

4. (US, politics, of an election) Having an electorate across multiple districts.

   The city has five city council districts; however, the mayor is elected at large.

同意語

• (on the loose): on the run, on the lam
• (in full): entirely, wholly; see also Thesaurus:completely
• (in general): generally; see also Thesaurus:generally
• (米国用法 politics):