lest

[ lest ]

/ lɛst /

conjunction

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.

that (used after words expressing fear, danger, etc.): There was danger lest the plan become known.

Words nearby lest

lesser's triangle, lessing, lessing, doris, lesson, lessor, lest, lester, lestobiosis, lesya, let, let alone

Origin of lest

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 relative particle)

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lest

least lest let's

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for lest

And lest you be deceived, primary elections are no partisan monopoly.
Reality Check: There Are No Swing Voters|Goldie Taylor|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He said it would be wise to stop taking it, lest it turn on my “genetic light switch.”
Birth Control Made My Hair Fall Out, and I’m Not the Only One|Molly Oswaks|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lest anyone be confused, the site clearly states: “This is not a dating app.”
Swipe Right For Sex: Mixxxer Is Tinder for the Porn Star Set|Aurora Snow|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lest anyone be confused, the site clearly states: ‘This is not a dating app.’
Swipe Right For Sex: Mixxxer Is Tinder for the Porn Star Set|Aurora Snow|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And lest we think models are just bony arms and pretty faces, they frequently assure us that they are really, truly intelligent.
Miranda Kerr & Karlie Kloss Suffer From Model Denial|Lizzie Crocker|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hide it not for my help, for my honour, but tell me, Lest my time and thy time be lost days and confusion!
Poems By The Way & Love Is Enough|William Morris
But, somehow, Jefferson Creede took the lead and rode with his eyes cast down, lest they should be dazzled by the vision.
Hidden Water|Dane Coolidge
Not to trust to his own understanding, lest God blind his understanding.
A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry|Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly
I have fresh hopes given me; but I dare not please myself too much with them, lest I should be again disappointed.
Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 100, September 27, 1851|Various
Paul was afraid that he would begin again, and he dared not touch him lest he should cry out.
Paul Gerrard|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for lest

lest

/ (lɛst) /

conjunction (subordinating; takes should or a subjunctive verb)

so as to prevent any possibility thathe fled the country lest he be captured and imprisoned

(after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc) for fear that; in casehe was alarmed lest she should find out

Word Origin for lest

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012