Note 7 - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Related to Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Sep. 01, 2018	Aug. 31, 2019	Sep. 01, 2018
Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Service cost	$ 1	$ 14	$ 3	$ 42
Interest cost	3,673	3,419	7,346	10,257
Expected return on assets	(6,326)	(6,541)	(12,652)	(19,623)
Prior service cost (benefit)	3	7	10	21
Actuarial loss	1,169	1,476	3,507	4,428
Net periodic (benefit) cost	(1,480)	(1,625)	(1,786)	(4,875)
Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Service cost	557	566	1,687	1,746
Interest cost	1,154	1,141	3,527	3,526
Expected return on assets	(2,517)	(2,710)	(7,710)	(8,385)
Prior service cost (benefit)	16	(1)	48	(3)
Actuarial loss	772	710	2,347	2,191
Net periodic (benefit) cost	(18)	(294)	(101)	(925)
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Service cost	24	43	73	129
Interest cost	387	371	1,162	1,113
Expected return on assets	(1,752)	(1,724)	(5,259)	(5,172)
Prior service cost (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Actuarial loss	8	15	25	45
Net periodic (benefit) cost	$ (1,333)	$ (1,295)	$ (3,999)	$ (3,885)