Lest Definition
lĕst
conjuntion
For fear that; in case; so that . . . not.
Speak low lest you be overheard.
Webster's New World
So that someone or something not; in case someone or something might.
American Heritage
That.
Afraid lest he should fail us.
Webster's New World
That (without the negative particle); - after certain expressions denoting fear or apprehension.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
- for fear that
- in order to avoid
- to prevent
- so-that
Origin of Lest
c.1200, contracted from Middle English phrase les te "less that," from Old English phrase þy læs þe "whereby less that," from þy, instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt "that" + læs (see less) + þe "the." The þy was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste. (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=lest)
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Old English (thȳ) lǣs the (whereby) less that, so that not lǣs less less the relative conjunction to- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Lest Is Also Mentioned In
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