Crossword Genius

Almost November first? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nearly

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

'november first?' is the wordplay.
'november' becomes 'N' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'first?' becomes 'early' ('early' is associated in meaning with 'first').
'n'+'early'='NEARLY'

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

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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