σχεδόν

Etymology: From Ancient Greek σχεδόν (skhedón), which originally meant 'near, close by' and later developed the meaning 'almost'. It derives from the root σχε- (skhe-) related to 'holding' or 'checking', suggesting something that is held back just short of completion. The same root appears in words like σχήμα (schema) and σχέση (relationship).