at Largeとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

From 中期英語 at large (“at liberty or freedom”) (compare 中期英語 ben at large (“to be at one's liberty, be free”)). Compare Old French au large (“at liberty” and other senses).

発音

前置詞句

at large

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

   Synonyms: in the wild, on the loose, on the run, on the lam

   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.

   • 1902, E. Nesbit, Five Children and It:

     The lady rode hastily away, and electrified her relatives at dinner by telling them of her escape from a family of dangerous lunatics. "The little girl's eyes were simply those of a maniac. I can't think how she came to be at large," she said.

   • 2024 December 27, Leah Sarnoff, “Pregnant woman stabbed 14 times by pizza delivery driver over $2 tip: Police”, in abcnews.go.com‎:

     Officials say the unknown male suspect is still at large and request anyone with information regarding the case to contact Crimeline at (800) 423-8477.

2. (obsolete) In full, fully.

   Synonyms: entirely, in full, wholly; see also Thesaurus:completely

   • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC:
     , 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.

   Synonyms: generally, in general; see also Thesaurus:generally

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

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

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

   • 1991 May 4, Elizabeth Yukins, “City Council Candidates Lobby For The Gay Vote”, in Gay Community News, page 3:

     Although the elections for Boston City Council seats are still seven months away, the race between at-large candidates is beginning to heat up.

派生語