English Explanatory Dictionary

lest

English dictionary entry

Meanings

conj
  1. For fear that; that not; in order to prevent something from happening; in case.
  2. that (without the negative particle; introduces the reason for an emotion.)

Pronunciation

/lɛst/ en-us-lest.ogg /liːst/ /lɛːst/

Word forms

lest

Etymology

c. 1200, contracted from Middle English les te (“less that”), from Old English þȳ lǣs þe (“whereby less that”), from þȳ (instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt (“that”)) + lǣs (“less”) + þe (“that,” relative particle). The þȳ was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste.

Synonyms

before

Related words

in case lest we forget
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