这里slightest之前是否漏掉了 even?

有一读者问: 有这样一句话:

(1)His slightest witty remark was impressive.

请问这个句子开头是否漏掉了even (即使)?

这里即使不用even,形容词最高级slightest 也有“即使”的含义。这种具有“即使”含义的形容词最高级并不罕见,再如:

(2)You useless fool, you can't handle the least little job.

(3)It's always dusty about here, if there's the least wind.

有时为了加强语气,就可用even, 如:

(4)The mice used to be so rampant that we dared not leave anything within their reach. Even the slightest neglect would cause a great loss.