quasi-

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 + sī if

Can be confused

pseudo-, quasi-.

British Dictionary definitions for quasi-

quasi-

combining form

almost but not really; seemingly: a quasi-religious cult

resembling but not actually being; so-called: a quasi-scholar

Word Origin

from L., lit: as if

Word Origin and History for 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).