What's the meaning of "a matter of degree" here?
He was harsh, but fair, and there was a kind of evolutionary beauty in his competence. His carriage seemed different only by a matter of degree from the way our other sergeants and officers acted.
What's the meaning of "a matter of degree" here?
Thanks!

Question

What's the meaning of "a matter of degree" here?
He was harsh, but fair, and there was a kind of evolutionary beauty in his competence. His carriage seemed different only by a matter of degree from the way our other sergeants and officers acted. 
What's the meaning of "a matter of degree" here?
Thanks!

Answer

"Degree" means the extent to which he possessed those qualities. "Only by a matter of degree" implies the difference was small.

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