quasi

[kwey-zahy, -sahy, kwah-see, -zee] /ˈkweɪ zaɪ, -saɪ, ˈkwɑ si, -zi/
adjective
1.
resembling; seeming; virtual:
a quasi member.
Origin
independent use of quasi-
Can be confused
quasi, queasy.

quasi-

1.
a combining form meaning “resembling,” “having some, but not all of the features of,” used in the formation of compound words:
quasi-definition; quasi-monopoly; quasi-official; quasi-scientific.
Origin
< Latin quasi as if, as though, equivalent to qua(m) as + if
Can be confused
pseudo-, quasi-.
Examples from the web for quasi
  • Like all their books, it's great fun if you like lurid quasi-supernatural thrillers.
  • Scientists dismiss that as a quasi-religious argument.
  • They have been frequently described as exercising quasi-judicial, quasi-executive and quasi-legislative functions.
  • But to bring captured prey to its mouth, the octopus turns the arm into a semi-rigid structure that bends to form quasi joints.
  • Blame itself can be statistically apportioned in a quasi-scientific manner.
  • The almost unpredictable, non-linear, quasi-periodic phenomenon has its origins in the nuclear reactions taking place there.
  • Many tasks then can go in parallel and quasi-parallel and the program is optimized.
  • As a quasi-commercial endeavor, this website has an interest in getting people to see as many ads as possible.
  • We didn't have these kind of nuanced, quasi-battlefield, peacekeeping situations or training situations.
  • Barbecuing with quasi-dictatorial nations is serious diplomatic business.
British Dictionary definitions for quasi

quasi

/ˈkweɪzaɪ; -saɪ; ˈkwɑːzɪ/
adverb
1.
as if; as it were
Word Origin
from Latin, literally: as if

quasi-

combining form
1.
almost but not really; seemingly: a quasi-religious cult
2.
resembling but not actually being; so-called: a quasi-scholar
Word Origin
from L., lit: as if
Word Origin and History for quasi
adv.

late 15c., Latin, in hypothetical comparisons, "as if, just as if, as though;" in real comparisons "just as, as;" in approximation, "somewhat like, nearly, not far from;" from quam "as" relative pronomial adverb of manner (see who) + si "if," from PIE pronomial stem *swo- "so" (see so).

quasi-

word-forming element used since 18c. (but most productively in 20c.) and typically meaning "kind of, resembling, like but not really, as if;" from Latin quasi "as if, as it were" (see quasi).