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In which cases is very used with the same meaning it has in a phrase like "the very minute after"? Is it a set phrase, or are there other similar phrases?
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Very is acting here in a sense closer to its old meaning of truly, precisely, literally:
The given sentence is very similar to:
The evolution that very underwent, from this older sense to its more common modern usage as an intensifier, is the very same shift in meaning that literally is now undergoing, to the chagrin of many pedants. |
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When very is used in that context, it takes the place of mere, the form originally derived from the Latin merus (meaning pure or undiluted), a comparitive meaning "nothing less than" or "downright", or indeed "just", "only", "no more than". In that context it particularly means immediately or "as soon as". It is pretty much always prefixed with "the".
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From dictionary.com:
It can be used with a variety of nouns. From http://pinedalepumpkinpatch.blogspot.com/2009/08/giant-pumpkin-in-making.html
From http://fuckyeahtvpicspam.tumblr.com/post/379433655/daisy-what-do-you-say-the-very-second-were-done:
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Very is just a means to give emphasis to something. In your example, "The very minute after I leave..." gives emphasis to people taking the person's books the moment he/she leaves and so on (though I think the very minute I leave... is better usage). Another example of very used for emphasis is:
Or
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