Crossword Genius

In the end seen before time? Not quite (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nearly

'not quite' is the definition.
(nearly can mean not quite or almost)

'in the end seen before time?' is the wordplay.
'in the end' suggests the final letters.
'before time?' becomes 'early' (I've seen this before).
The last letter of 'seen' is 'n'.
'n'+'early'='NEARLY'

(Other definitions for nearly that I've seen before include "Close" , "Not entirely" , "More or less" , "Noon at eleven fifty nine am" , "approximately" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app