少なくとも
すくなくとも · sukunakutomo · JLPT N2 · adverb
at least
少な (few) + くとも (even if) = even if few = at least
くとも is an old form of ても/でも, meaning even if. 少なくとも literally means even if few, so it sets a minimum you can count on.
少 — 小 (small) + 丿 (slash stroke)
Originally a pictograph showing four small dots or grains, suggesting 'few' or 'small in quantity'. Over time it became distinguished from 小 (small) by adding a downward stroke. The core meaning shifted toward 'few' or 'little in number', while 小 kept the sense of physical smallness.