The quality being described is coldness. "At least -40°" means that was the least cold it was, but it might have been colder. For the handlebars, the quality i

The quality being described is coldness. "At least -40°" means that was the least cold it was, but it might have been colder. For the handlebars, the quality is shortness. "Cut them down to at least 740 mm, maybe more" means that that is the least short they will be, but they might end up shorter. > How can "at least -40" and "at most -40" mean exactly the same thing? Context. Language is stupid that way.