An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A prefix meaning “resembling, almost, having some, but not all of the features of.”

Etymology (EN): From L. quasi “as if, as though,” from qua(m)" as" + si “if.”

Etymology (PE): Cunân “so, like that; just as if,” from cun “how?,” (Mid.Pers. cigôn “how?,” cigônêh “nature, character,” O.Pers/Av. ci- “what, any,” collateral stem to ka- “who?, what?;” cf. Skt. ka-; Gk. po-; L. quo-; E. what, who; PIE *qwos/*qwes) + suffix ân. -vaš a suffix of similitude.