quasi-
Seemingly; apparently but not really; partly or almost.
[From Latin quasi, as if, as though, almost.]
In Physics, a quasicrystal is one that is locally regular but whose patterns do not repeat themselves indefinitely, and a quasiparticle is a packet or quantum of energy that in some respects can behave as an subatomic particle but is not one. A quasi-judicial body is one outside the legal system but which has powers of investigation and enforcement that resemble those of a court.
Visit Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words site for 2000+ articles on English!
Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Page last updated 23 September 2008.
Your comments and suggestions on the site are very welcome.