Object is almost modest (5)
I believe the answer is:
demur
'object' is the definition.
'almost modest' is the wordplay.
'almost' means to remove the last letter (most of the word but not all of it).
'modest' becomes 'demure' (I've seen this before).
'demure' with its final letter removed is 'DEMUR'.
'is' is the link.
(Other definitions for demur that I've seen before include "Protest or disagree mildly" , "Protest mildly, show reluctance" , "Object gently" , "Hesitation" , "Balk" .)