Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Amortizable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 04, 2017	Dec. 03, 2016
Original cost	$ 419,852	$ 372,949
Accumulated amortization	(176,718)	(168,057)
Net identifiable intangibles	243,134	204,892
Original cost	419,852	372,949
Accumulated amortization	(176,718)	(168,057)
Purchased Technology And Patents [Member]
Original cost	69,527	70,504
Accumulated amortization	(26,919)	(21,448)
Net identifiable intangibles	42,608	49,056
Original cost	69,527	70,504
Accumulated amortization	(26,919)	(21,448)
Customer Relationships [Member]
Original cost	286,161	251,329
Accumulated amortization	(118,071)	(116,411)
Net identifiable intangibles	168,090	134,918
Original cost	286,161	251,329
Accumulated amortization	(118,071)	(116,411)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Original cost	64,164	51,116
Accumulated amortization	(31,728)	(30,198)
Net identifiable intangibles	32,436	20,918
Original cost	64,164	51,116
Accumulated amortization	$ (31,728)	$ (30,198)