Note 10 - Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Change in Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 01, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017	Dec. 03, 2016
UNITED STATES
Settlement payments		$ 0	$ 0	$ (8,399)
Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		379,359	362,213
Service cost		56	111	110
Interest cost		12,251	15,836	15,360
Participant contributions
Plan amendments
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	(33,052)	14,405
Special termination benefits			6,518
Settlement payments
Benefits paid		(21,725)	(19,724)
Foreign currency translation effect
Benefit obligation at end of year		336,889	379,359	362,213
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		378,099	331,505
Business acquisition, plan assets acquired			4,605
Actual return on plan assets		(11,768)	60,176
Employer contributions		1,854	1,537
Participant contributions
Other
Benefits paid	[2]	(21,725)	(19,724)
Foreign currency translation effect
Level 3 balance at end of year		346,460	378,099	331,505
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end		9,571	(1,260)
Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		223,982	202,176
Service cost		2,311	2,125	2,016
Interest cost		4,671	4,709	5,465
Participant contributions
Plan amendments		1,600
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	(3,377)	(6,636)
Special termination benefits			12,156
Settlement payments			(62)
Benefits paid		(10,059)	(8,495)
Foreign currency translation effect		(11,053)	18,009
Benefit obligation at end of year		208,075	223,982	202,176
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		187,708	163,322
Business acquisition, plan assets acquired
Actual return on plan assets		(1,240)	16,889
Employer contributions		2,237	1,863
Participant contributions
Other			(272)
Benefits paid	[2]	(10,059)	(8,223)
Foreign currency translation effect		(9,191)	14,129
Level 3 balance at end of year		169,455	187,708	163,322
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end		(38,620)	(36,274)
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		43,325	42,721
Service cost		173	208	342
Interest cost		1,484	1,593	1,956
Participant contributions		330	200
Plan amendments
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	(5,225)	2,078
Special termination benefits
Settlement payments
Benefits paid		(3,245)	(3,475)
Foreign currency translation effect
Benefit obligation at end of year		36,842	43,325	42,721
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		79,300	66,640
Business acquisition, plan assets acquired
Actual return on plan assets		4,058	14,631
Employer contributions		2,467	1,304
Participant contributions		330	200
Other
Benefits paid	[2]	(3,245)	(3,475)
Foreign currency translation effect
Level 3 balance at end of year		82,910	79,300	$ 66,640
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end		$ 46,068	$ 35,975

[1] Actuarial gain in 2018 for the U.S. Plans is primarily due to assumption changes. Actuarial gain in 2017 for the U.S. Plans is due to plan experience. Actuarial gain in 2018 for the Non-U.S. Plans includes a ($5,172) gain net of a $1,795 loss both due to assumption changes and plan experience. Actuarial loss in 2017 for the Non-U.S. Plans includes a $16,330 loss due to assumption changes net of a ($1,076) gain due to plan experience.

[2] Amount excludes benefit payments made from sources other than plan assets.