Crossword Genius

Almost making noble entry into New York (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nearly

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'almost' is the definition.
(I know that almost can be written as nearly)

'noble entry into new york' is the wordplay.
'noble entry' becomes 'earl' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'into' is an insertion indicator.
'new york' becomes 'ny'.
'earl' inserted within 'ny' is 'NEARLY'.

'making' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nearly that I've seen before include "Close" , "More or less" , "Almost, not quite" , "Noon at eleven fifty nine am" , "Almost, well-nigh" .)

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