否定＋比較級（１）

最上級と同じ意味になる場合がある。次のような感じ。

Nothing is more precious than time. (= Time is the most precious thing of all. )

Man thinks of nothing less than of death. (= Man thinks the least of death. )

Nothing was less expected than an attack. (= An attack was the least expected. )


最後の例文と似ているが、

Nothing less than an attack was expected.

は、最上級の意味ではない。これについては次でやる。