Crossword Genius

Almost morality by a student - almost (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

virtual

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'student almost' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'almost morality by a' is the wordplay.
'almost' means to remove the last letter (most of the word but not all of it).
'morality' becomes 'virtue' (virtue is a kind of morality).
'by a' becomes 'al' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'virtue' with its last letter taken off is 'virtu'.
'virtu'+'al'='VIRTUAL'

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(Other definitions for virtual that I've seen before include "to all intents and purposes" , "Cyberspace type of reality" , "In effect, but not in fact" , "One sort of reality" , "Being almost the same" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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