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.

집에서 편안하게 언어를 배울 수 있는 기회를 놓치지 마세요. 경험 많은 강사진을 살펴보고 지금 바로 첫 수업을 신청하세요!