Quantitative component in the аpproximative quasi and its synonyms

In this article we explicate a number of Italian approximative particles such as quasi, praticamente, pressoché, pocomeno, circa, a momenti, per poconon and look at the difference in distribution and meaning of these synonyms. “approximators” in our paper are all modifiers that imply a certain degree of discrepancy of the speaker’s statement and the state of affairs it refers to. The examination of Italian approximators was carried out according to the principles stated by the Moscow semantic school. In this paper we present the most important semes conveyed by this set of synonyms (approximation, completeness, result, undesirability, mitigation еtc.), further, we describe in detail the similarities and differences between synonyms in their distribution in quantitative contexts. the similarities and differences are verified by substitutions of different approximators in the same context. As a result of our analysis we display the three main meanings that are introduced in quantitative contexts by the modifier quasi : quasi X = 1. A little different from X; 2. Less than X; 3. In T 1 it isn’t X, but in T 2 it is X.