Very nearly; almost
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

ETYM AS. ealmaest, aelmaest, quite the most, almost all; eal (Old Eng. al) all + maest most.
Nearly; all but; for the greatest part.

ETYM as. neár, compar. of neáh nigh. Related to Nigh.
Near in time or place or relationship; SYN. nigh, close.

Apparently but not actually; also used in musical notation, as in sonata quasi fantasia (“sonata in the manner of a fantasia”).
As if; seemingly; in a manner