lest

[lest]

conjunction

1. for fear that; so that (one) should not (used negatively to introduce a clause expressive of an action or occurrence requiring caution).

   He kept his notes by his side lest faulty memory lead him astray.

2. that (used after words expressing fear, danger, etc.).

   There was danger lest the plan become known.

lest

/ lɛst /

conjunction

1. so as to prevent any possibility that

   he fled the country lest he be captured and imprisoned

2. (after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc) for fear that; in case

   he was alarmed lest she should find out

Word History and Origins

Origin of lest¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English leste, contraction of the lesse the, thi les the; late Old English the lǣste, earlier thȳ lǣs the, literally, “whereby less that” ( thȳ instrumental case of the demonstrative and relative pronoun, lǣs less, the conjunction)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lest¹

Old English the lǣste, earlier thӯ lǣs the, literally: whereby less that

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lest we forget. lest we forget.

Example Sentences

Lest the president’s remarks be insufficient to demonstrate the point that other Americans, with their competing vision of a country made great through its incredible diversity, we can once again rely on his supporters.

From Salon

Even then, the firm could remove only a small portion of the parking lot’s asphalt, lest they trigger local low-impact development codes.

From Los Angeles Times

In the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2003, dissenters were warned to be careful of what they said, lest they risk being seen as terrorist sympathizers.

From Salon

Its lavish, privately funded $73-million Performing Arts Center is the showpiece, where only white wine is sold, lest a splash of red stain the carpeting.

From Los Angeles Times

We can titter at the shock and horror that some of the characters display at even being in the same room as a divorced woman — Lady Mary is rudely escorted from a ball and asked to hide under a staircase lest she come into contact with a royal — and also empathize with the frustration of a new generation that desperately wants to take over from the old guard and maybe even shake things up a bit.

From Los Angeles Times