Crossword Genius

Pole is in good time or just about (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nearly

'just about' is the definition.
('nearly' can be a synonym of 'just about')

'pole is in good time' is the wordplay.
'pole' becomes 'n' (**).
'is in good time' becomes 'early' (being early is arriving in good time).
'n'+'early'='NEARLY'

'or' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for nearly that I've seen before include "Give out a bright light" , "Almost, well-nigh" , "parsimoniously" , "pretty much" , "Noon at eleven fifty nine am" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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